CBS News is reporting that President Obama told Steve Kroft, in an interview for the upcoming episode of 60 minutes, that he will not release death photos of Osama bin Laden.
According to the report, we won’t have to wait until Sunday to see this segment of the interview, as it is scheduled to air on CBS Evening News tonight. (coincidentally, 60 Minutes’ Scott Pelley was just named as Katie Couric’s replacement on the program).
Obama is quoted as saying:
“The risks of release outweigh the benefits. Conspiracy theorists around the world will just claim the photos are doctored anyway, and there is a real risk that releasing the photos will only serve to inflame public opinion in the Middle East.”
“Imagine how the American people would react if Al Qaida killed one of our troops or military leaders, and put photos of the body on the internet. Osama bin Laden is not a trophy – he is dead and let’s now focus on continuing the fight until Al Qaida has been eliminated.”
According to a recent CNN poll, 56% want to see the photos released. Did the president make the right call?
Meanwhile, fake death photos continue to circulate.