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Let me also say a few words about an issue that I know you asked Robert Gibbs about quite a bit today and that's my decision to argue against the release of additional detainee photos.
Understand these photos are associated with closed investigations of the alleged abuse of detainees in our ongoing war effort. And I want to emphasize that these photos that were requested in this case are not particularly sensational, especially when compared to the painful images that we remember from Abu Ghraib.
But they do represent conduct that did not conform with the Army Manual; that's precisely why they were investigated and, I might add, investigated long before I took office And, where appropriate sanctions have been applied.
In other words, this is not a situation in which the Pentagon has concealed or sought to justify inappropriate action. Rather, it has gone through the appropriate and regular processes and the individuals who were involved have been identified and appropriate actions have been taken.
It's therefore my belief that the publication of these photos would not add any additional benefit to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals. In fact, the most direct consequence of releasing them, I believe, would be to further inflame anti-American opinion and to put our troops in greater danger.
Moreover, I fear the publication of these photos may only have a chilling effect on future investigations of detainee abuse.
And obviously the thing that is most important in my mind is making sure that we're abiding by the Army Manual and that we are swiftly investigating any instances in which individuals have not acted appropriately and that they are appropriately sanctioned. That's my aim and I do not believe that the release of these photos at this time would further that goal.
Now, let me be clear I am concerned about how the release of these photos would impact on the safety of our troops. I have made it very clear to all who are within the chain of command, however, of the United States Armed Forces that the abuse of detainees in our custody is prohibited and will not be tolerated.
I have repeated that since I have been in office. Secretary Gates understands that. Admiral Mullen understands that. And that has been communicated across the chain of command. Any abuse of detainee is unacceptable. It is against our values. It endangers our security. It will not be tolerated. All right? Thank you very much everybody.