USA: Photos of abuse... why hide?

The possible publication of photos of abuse of prisoners in Iraq or Afghanistan would be considered as ...pure voyeurism,... said Tuesday Senator Joe Lieberman who threatened to block the text on war expenses if the Congress do not prevent their publication.

•     “Publishing the photos, for me, is pure voyeurism. It is a disclosure with no purpose and is a disclosure that leads to a significant risk,” said the independent senator Tuesday at a press conference.
  
      Senator Lieberman and his Republican colleague Lindsey Graham are the authors of an amendment entitled “Act for the protection of photographic archive of detainees” adopted in late May with the Senate version of the draft supplementary budget for funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan until 30 September 2009.
  
      According to them, the photos could be used as a tool for propaganda and recruitment by Islamic extremists who want to attack the United States.
  
      But in the House of Representatives, the left wing of the Democratic Party was firmly against the amendment, which it sees as an infringement on freedom of expression. Left Parliamentarians threatening to withdraw their support for the majority if the amendment is retained.
  
      By contrast, Mr. Graham said that if the House should reject their amendment “this would be one of the most outrageous and most irresponsible in the history of Congress.”
  
      The two senators thus threaten to block the vote on the draft budget.
  
      Having supported the publication of the photos, the U.S. president Barack Obama has changed his mind last month (may be under pressures), saying it was inappropriate to broadcast the photographs.
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.