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Iraq PM Influenced Obama Torture Photo Decision

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 2, 2009 2:33 PM CDT
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(Newser) – “Heavy pressure” from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki helped convince President Obama to oppose the release of Abu Ghraib torture photos sought by the ACLU, McClatchy reports. “Baghdad will burn,” Maliki reportedly told military officials. The administration cited objections from generals as the reason for the change in opinion, but has not acknowledged Maliki’s role.

“It was not so much the photos themselves, but that the perception that they would be Abu Ghraib-type photos,” said one official. The US was worried “about the potential street consequences.” After Maliki was notified of the impending release, he warned “if you add this to that mix, it could very easily provide an incentive to the extremists.” Maliki thought the outrage could force the US out of Iraq sooner than the 2011 deadline.

President Barack Obama and Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad.
President Barack Obama and Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad.   (AP Photo)
A detainee at Abu Ghraib.
A detainee at Abu Ghraib.   (AP Photo)
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in London.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in London.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
PosterNutbag
Jun 3, 2009 1:41 AM CDT
There must be some very sadistic acts photographed there or else they would not insist on keeping it private. Considering "the potential street consequences," don't you think that in the Arab-world at large, the word on the street already knows what it would see, should those photos get released? Come on, this Abu Graib scandel happened when? 4 or 5 years ago? The word is out, everyone knows what happened there, except for a segment of the US population who remain in denial, with the help of Prez Obama and PM al'Maliki.
justme
Jun 2, 2009 11:36 AM CDT
Sanity from the Iraqi leader. More than I heard from American politicians. Imagine that.
carol
Jun 2, 2009 10:37 AM CDT
dream on

 
Abu Ghraib • Nouri al-Maliki • David Petraeus • Iraqi government • Iraq war • David McKiernan • President Obama • torture photos

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