WASHINGTON: The White House asked a federal court of appeals in New York on Thursday to recall its order requiring the release of photographs held by the Pentagon that depict the abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan. It cited two statements from top US generals David Petraeus and Ray Odierno who argued against the release of the photos.
President Barack Obama described the 21 photos as “not particularly sensational, especially when compared to the painful images that we remember from Abu Ghraib,” saying their release would “further inflame anti-American opinion” and “put our troops in danger.”
The president said he has asked his legal team to fight the release because he is concerned that the pictures would affect the safety of US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The photos, depicting abuse at Abu Ghraib and six other prisons, were ordered released as part of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The government argued Thursday that withdrawing the order is appropriate because Congress may pass legislation blocking the release and that if it does not, the administration will appeal to the Supreme Court.
