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U.S. Investigates Near-Naked Saddam Photos By PATRICK QUINN, Associated Press Writer 13 minutes ago Tabloid photographs Friday of an imprisoned Saddam Hussein naked except for his white underwear prompted a U.S. military investigation and condemnation from the Red Cross. President Bush said he did not think the images would incite further anti-American sentiment in Iraq. Some Iraqis called the photos the latest in a series of insults to Arabs and Muslims. Others, however, said the humiliation is just what the 68-year-old former dictator deserves. Regardless of any effect the images may have on Iraq's insurgency, they were certain to offend Arab sensibilities and heap more scorn on an American image already tarnished by the prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison and allegations by Newsweek, later retracted, about desecration of the Quran at the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "It is clear that the pictures were taken inside the prison, which means that American soldiers have leaked the pictures," said Saddam's chief lawyer, Ziad al-Khasawneh. He said the photos "add to acts that are practiced against the Iraqi people, and of course we remember what happened in Abu Ghraib and we remember what happened in Guantanamo." The photographs were published in Britain's The Sun and the New York Post, both controlled by Rupert Murdoch. The tabloids said the photos were provided by a U.S. military official it did not identify who hoped it would deal a "body blow" to the insurgency. Sun managing editor Graham Dudman told The Associated Press that the newspaper paid "a small sum" for the photos. He would not elaborate except to say it was more than 500 British pounds, which is about $900. The paper said it would publish more photos Saturday. Saddam's attorney said he would sue the newspaper "and everyone who helped in showing these pictures." An apparently embarrassed U.S. military in Baghdad said the publication of the photos violated U.S. military guidelines "and possibly Geneva Convention guidelines for the humane treatment of detained individuals." A spokesman, Staff Sgt. Don Dees, said the military would question the troops responsible for Saddam. Officials were trying to determine whether the images were taken from a surveillance camera or hand-held camera. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said U.S. military officials in Iraq believe the photos are "dated" — perhaps more than one year old, although no specific date has been established. The International Committee for the Red Cross, which is responsible for monitoring prisoners of war and detainees, said the photographs violated Saddam's right to privacy. "Taking and using photographs of him is clearly forbidden," ICRC Middle East spokeswoman Dorothea Krimitsas said. U.S. forces are obliged to "preserve the privacy of the detainee." Aside from U.S. soldiers, the only others with access to Saddam are his legal team, prosecuting judge Raed Johyee and the ICRC. In Baghdad coffee shops and elsewhere across this deeply conservative country, Iraqis watched as some Arab satellite networks — including Al-Arabiya — showed the front page of The Sun, with its picture of Saddam standing in his underwear. Other published photos show him clothed and seated on a chair doing some washing, sleeping and walking in what is described as his prison yard. "This is an insult to show the former president in such a condition. Saddam is from the past now, so what is the reason for this? It is bad work from the media. Do they want to degrade the Iraqi people? Or they want to provoke their feelings," said Baghdad businessman Abu Barick. Others were not so kind. "Saddam Hussein and his regime were bloody and practiced mass killing against the people, therefore, whatever happens to Saddam, whether he is photographed naked or washing his clothes, it means nothing to me. That's the least he deserves," said Hawre Saliee, a 38-year-old Kurd. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050520...q_saddam_photos