US anger at Saddam underwear shot

[ShadesWolf]

Nice story guys, good way to upset half the world.

The US military says it is investigating "aggressively" after a picture appeared in a British paper showing Saddam Hussein half naked.
The Sun newspaper's front page image showed the former Iraqi president in a pair of white underpants.

Other pictures showed Saddam Hussein washing his socks in a bowl, shuffling around and sleeping on his bed.

The US said the photos appeared to breach Geneva Convention rules on the humane treatment of prisoners of war.

"Multinational Forces-Iraq is disappointed at the possibility that someone responsible for the security, welfare, and detention of Saddam would take and provide these photos for public release," a statement from the US-led force said.

"This lapse is being aggressively investigated to determine, if possible, who took the photos, and to ensure existing procedures and directives are complied with to prevent this from happening again."

'Compelling image'

The Sun refused to say how it got hold of the pictures, or when they were taken, insisting it needed to protect its sources.

It defended its decision to publish them.

We thought long and hard about publishing, and took the decision that they're such incredible pictures of the world's most brutal dictator... they were a compelling image that any newspaper or broadcaster would publish," the paper's managing editor, Graham Dudman, told the BBC News website.

The Sun cited US military sources saying they handed over the pictures showing Saddam as "an ageing and humble old man" in the hope of dealing a blow to the resistance in Iraq.

"It's important that the people of Iraq see him like that to destroy the myth," the paper said the source said.

Saddam Hussein is awaiting trial on numerous charges in Iraq, including murdering rivals, gassing Iraqi Kurds and using violence to suppress uprisings.

It is not clear when he will go on trial.

The official US military statement said the pictures might be a year old.


They show Saddam with a moustache, rather than the beard he sported when he was captured in December 2003, and again when he appeared in court last July.

The Sun said the former Iraqi leader, 68, was allowed black hair dye to disguise his grey hair.

The paper said Saddam Hussein is kept in a 12ft by 9ft (4m x 3m) cell "somewhere near Baghdad", that he has a desk and a pink plastic chair "which he tends to use as a bedside table".

He is watched round the clock through CCTV cameras, even when he goes to the toilet, the paper said.

The source added that Saddam was one of the best behaved prisoners they had had, it said.

[Ser Clegane]

While I am surprised (well ... perhaps not really) that the Sun feels compelled to make this the top news, I think the Sun has shown considerably worse on their title page.

I wonder if half the world really will get upset about it (I assume you are referring to muslims). After all, what we are seeing here is a murderer of countless muslims and some of his followers are still going around murdering muslims in Iraq.

[Fragony]

Rediculous.

[ShadesWolf]

I was not only thinking of Muslims.

I thought about America herself, how it would respond to the pictures being aid.

You would have expected it to be a top security prison, yet first the pictures have been taken, and secondly they have been passed onto theh sun.

[Ser Clegane]

I thought about America herself, how it would respond to the pictures being aid.

You would have expected it to be a top security prison, yet first the pictures have been taken, and secondly they have been passed onto theh sun.

Good point - the fact that somebody in this prison leaked the pictures is actually more newsworthy than the fact that Saddam is wearing ugly underwear.

[Adrian II]

The real prison news is in The New York Times today. I guess American media aren't all pathetic after all.

[barocca]

i want you all to take a deep breath,
look carefully at the underpants

now follow closely and enunciate clearly...
"pho" "toe" "shop" "ed"

i think what we really need to do is send the Sun a big thank you that someone on their staff "added" undies to what would otherwise have been a GROSS pic...

and the pic breaches the geneva conventions,
but then,
as far as i recall, chopping heads of civilians while videotaping them and then giving the tape to TV stations is not in the geneva convention either...
...i best go look that up, just to be sure....

[BDC]

It's a good way to destroy any remaining authority he had.

Of course some religious fanatics will find a way to get annoyed about this, they always do.

[LittleGrizzly]

i want you all to take a deep breath,
look carefully at the underpants

now follow closely and enunciate clearly...
"pho" "toe" "shop" "ed"

you sure ?

The real prison news is in The New York Times today. I guess American media aren't all pathetic after all.

surely deserving of its own topic adrian ?

[Shambles]

Yeah saw the paper this morning thouht it was Wrong,
But what do u expect from the sun,
mostly perverts and people who wont buy a tv gide buy it,
theres never anything worth reading in it.

and dosent displaying pictures of prizoners in theis manner breaks some laws?
Like the geniva convention?
Not that it matters any more What with Yanks saying it dosent affect them so lets torture muslims untill thy say they are terrorists In guantanomo
Let alone Insult (for want of a better word) some religions.

But having said That I wasnt to Happy about CNN and there Live covarage of the twin towers afair,
Was more of a Guess which window theyl jumpout of next thing.
Anything for a bit more Viewers/readers

Its a good think im not in charge though,
Id nuke the Whole human race including me,
Cos Humans Really agrivate me

[Templar Knight]

The Sun has sunk to new levels

Is it really the most read paper in the UK? - says alot

[ichi]

CIA agent: "OMG I can't believe that you printed those photos *wink*.

We are going to aggressively find out who shot those pics because Saddam was under the tightest securit in the entire history of the world and we have no idea who got in his cell with a camera *wink*.

This is horrible and violates several conventions and just because it humiliates him and shows he is no longer a threat we totally hate you for printing it you lovely bastards *wink wink*"

ichi

BTW I refuse to look at his crotch to see if its been doctored

[Beirut]

The link that AdrianII provided is scary as hell.

If it's true, heads should roll.

[English assassin]

BTW I refuse to look at his crotch to see if its been doctored

Aha, so THAT's where he hid all those WMD then....

"No, no, Herr Blix, that's not 40 tonnes of Sarin, I'm just pleased to see you..."

[Devastatin Dave]

I hope I look that good in BVD's when I'm his age!!!

[Byzantine Prince]

Good point - the fact that somebody in this prison leaked the pictures is actually more newsworthy than the fact that Saddam is wearing ugly underwear.

Ugly? Oh no!

*BP burns half his underwear in the backyard*

[Hurin_Rules]

Showing such pictures is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. The US military has just said as much and is launching its own investigation. If it was US personnel who released the pictures, they have violated the conventions and will be charged.

I do not think this will help the US in its war in Iraq, and in fact I believe it will hurt them. In some of the interviews I've read with Iraqis, they've perceived it as just more Americans humiliating Iraqis and breaking the laws of war. Whatever you think of the British newspaper (and I don't think much of it), this act probably increases the likelihood of attacks on British and American troops.

[Redleg]

Showing such pictures is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. The US military has just said as much and is launching its own investigation. If it was US personnel who released the pictures, they have violated the conventions and will be charged.

And rightly so - the taking of these pictures by whomever was preventable if the NCO's and officers in charge of the security detail would of abided by the regulations that govern the housing of prisoners. After Abu Griab - I would of thought the NCO's and officers would of learned their lesson and ensured that camera's were not in the hands of soldiers who are on duty guarding prisoners.

I do not think this will help the US in its war in Iraq, and in fact I believe it will hurt them. In some of the interviews I've read with Iraqis, they've perceived it as just more Americans humiliating Iraqis and breaking the laws of war. Whatever you think of the British newspaper (and I don't think much of it), this act probably increases the likelihood of attacks on British and American troops.

I have heard two types of reports coming out of Iraq - some that follow just this line and one that some Iraqi's feel this is okay for the likes of Saddam. (however I don't know if that is a valid report or just some editorial information being relayed on the radio news that I listen to on the way to work.)

[Fragony]

Ugly? Oh no!

*BP burns half his underwear in the backyard*

We call those 'ballenknijpers' (ballstranglers) over here. These things are very bad for your sperm, but sometimes not being able to reproduce can be a good thing

[Adrian II]

Showing such pictures is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. The US military has just said as much and is launching its own investigation. If it was US personnel who released the pictures, they have violated the conventions and will be charged.

I do not think this will help the US in its war in Iraq, and in fact I believe it will hurt them. In some of the interviews I've read with Iraqis, they've perceived it as just more Americans humiliating Iraqis and breaking the laws of war. Whatever you think of the British newspaper (and I don't think much of it), this act probably increases the likelihood of attacks on British and American troops.

Come on, Hurin. You wear the same kind of ballstranglers as Uncle Sadman in the pic, that's what's really bothering you.


And no, I don't think Sadman's pants are a matter for the Security Council.

[Hurin_Rules]

Come on, Hurin. You wear the same kind of ballstranglers as Uncle Sadman in the pic, that's what's really bothering you.

LOL

No, I gave up on those in first year undergrad, when I realized the reaction most women have to them. After a brief (pun intended) flirtation with boxers, I realized 3/4 briefs (black) were the way to go (as Seinfeld's Kramer once said, my boys need a home). Ever since, my love life has picked up considerably. Let that be a lesson to you Capo, as you look for advice on picking up that girl you were after: make sure you ditch the whitey tighteys before things get hot and heavy.

[Devastatin Dave]

Boxers all the way baby...

Again, I just hope I look that good when I'm an old fart...

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I'm no expert, but Barocca's judgement looks sound.

I'm a boxers man meself.

The link that AdrianII provided is scary as hell.

If it's true, heads should roll.

If true, heads should not only roll, but be punted. Very far.

[Kanamori]

"If it's true, heads should roll."

I don't know about that, but more than a dishonorable discharge is certainly in order. Incidences like this and my lai make me think that the US military chain of command needs some rethinking...they were allowed into a similar situation that they were under question for; not good at all. Frankly, it is disgusting and shameful.

edit: would they be going to the court marshal, or a domestic court?

[Adrian II]

(..) I realized 3/4 briefs (black) were the way to go (..)

Spoken like a man.

BTW I think I know what Sadman is looking for in the pic.

[BDC]

Apparently he's suing now...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/4567341.stm

[Xiahou]

And rightly so - the taking of these pictures by whomever was preventable if the NCO's and officers in charge of the security detail would of abided by the regulations that govern the housing of prisoners. After Abu Griab - I would of thought the NCO's and officers would of learned their lesson and ensured that camera's were not in the hands of soldiers who are on duty guarding prisoners.

Well, I tend to think that the photos were "official" as part of documenting his treatment ect. If he gets to trial and claims he was beaten bloody everyday in custody, some pictures could be helpful to refute it. The problem is that someone had access to the photos, who clearly shouldn't have, and leaked them to the press- presumably for a large sum of money.

Hopefully their investigation will find this person and prosecute him/her.

[Hurin_Rules]

Boxers all the way baby...

Those are fine--I think there are some women who prefer them--but I think that we can all agree that unless you are gay and/or a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, whitey tighteys are to be avoided at all costs.

[Redleg]

"If it's true, heads should roll."

I don't know about that, but more than a dishonorable discharge is certainly in order. Incidences like this and my lai make me think that the US military chain of command needs some rethinking...they were allowed into a similar situation that they were under question for; not good at all. Frankly, it is disgusting and shameful.

edit: would they be going to the court marshal, or a domestic court?

Military crime - Courts Martial

[Kanamori]

okay, i wasn't sure how their status as mercenaries factored in.