Mixed Response To Saddam Photos

British Tabloid Releases More Pix Of Hussein In Prison

(CBS/AP) 
The Sun defended its decision to publish the photos, which it said were provided by "U.S. military sources" it did not identify who hoped their release would deal a blow to Iraq's insurgency. Managing editor Graham Dudman told The Associated Press on Friday 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.

A member of Saddam's legal team, Giovanni di Stefano, told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Saturday that he believed the British military could be behind the release of the photos but he said little to support the claim.

"We've also found out that there is a 26-second filming of Saddam that has been given to The Sun newspaper," di Stefano said, adding that he had not seen the footage.

Saddam, who was captured in December 2003, has been jailed at a complex near Baghdad airport named Camp Cropper, which holds 110 high-profile detainees.

Aside from U.S. soldiers, the only others with access to Saddam are his legal team, prosecuting judge Raed Johyee and the International Committee for the Red Cross, which monitors his treatment for compliance with the Geneva Conventions.

"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."

A spokesman, Staff Sgt. Don Dees, said the military would question the troops responsible for Saddam.

The U.S. military in Baghdad said the publication of the photos violated its guidelines "and possibly Geneva Convention guidelines for the humane treatment of detained individuals."

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.

Army Maj. Flora Lee, Multinational Forces spokeswoman in Baghdad, said the photos could have been from January 2004 to April 2004, "based on the background of the photos and appearance of him."

The man identified as al-Majid in Saturday's photos is shown leaning on a cane and holding a towel as he rises out of a chair. The woman is wearing a headscarf outdoors and looking forlornly in the distance.

In Baghdad coffee shops, Iraqis watched as some Arab satellite networks showed the photos of Saddam on Friday.

"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?" 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.

Charges against Saddam include killing rival politicians during his 30-year rule, gassing Kurds, invading Kuwait in 1990 and suppressing Kurdish and Shiite uprisings the next year.