Bush says he does not fear violent reaction to Saddam photos

WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush said Friday he did not fear a new fear a violent reaction in Iraq to the release of photos of former dictator Saddam Hussein wearing only his underwear in detention.
"I don't think a photo inspires murders. I think they (insurgents) are inspired by an ideology that is so barbaric and backwards that it's hard for many in the western world to comprehend how they think," Bush told reproters at the White House when asked about the impact of the photos on the Iraqi insurgency.
The New York Post and The Sun in Britain, both tabloids owned by press tycoon Rupert Murdoch, on Friday published photos of Saddam nearly naked.
The US military said it has ordered an investigation into the source of the photos, saying that they could be a breach of Defense Department regulations and Saddam's rights under the Geneva Coventions.

05/20/2005 15:53 GMT