Reasons Of State

After saying Yes, Obama is now saying No: No, to the publication of a new series of photos showing the physical abuses carried out by American soldiers in prisons of Iraq and Afghanistan. The turnaround is spectacular, but totally justified.

Since Wednesday, a few major American associations, whose goal is to fight for civil liberties, have been bursting with indignation. They are accusing the Obama administration of shamefully concealing acts of violence committed in the name of war against terrorism.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) even dares to accuse the current president of covering up Bush-Cheney administration crimes. Wrong! Poor judgment on the part of the ALCU.

Wasn’t it Obama who ordered an end to torture – which caused him to be fiercely hated by the most radical wing of Republicans?

Wasn’t it he, who, in late April, granted permission for publication of four secret notes regarding CIA use of violent and degrading methods aimed at making terrorism suspects talk? That was an unprecedented gesture. Those methods had been employed under George W. Bush.

Reading these confidential notes sends shivers down one’s spine. The technical precision of authorized brutalities reminds us that even the world’s major democracies are not immune to abuse.

No, Obama didn’t hide essentials. He even revealed the worst: official manuals on abuse!

In fact, there is just one argument that could support the publication of these pictures. If released, they would help many citizens understand and realize the extent of the abuses that were committed. As they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. That is true.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that, in this case and in the present context, the weight of words is enough. It is preferable to the shock of images.

Publication of these pictures would feed an even greater anti-American feeling in some corners of the world. We all can remember the pictures of Abu Ghraib.

That would provide rationale to extremists who are just looking for it. It would completely ruin the important speech that Barack Obama will make in Egypt on June 4, when he addresses the Muslim world. The damages would be considerable.

Obama’s only mistake in this story was to agree a little too quickly to distribute these photos. Not only did reasons of state eventually prevail: It was common sense.