I would better describe the taking of these photographs as an oversight on the maxim 'if you're going to do it, make sure you don't get caught'.

I have seen reportage at check points; quite 'ordinary' footage, if you will, showing the aggressive and humiliating way some of the soldiers treat passers-by to a scene. They herd them, shout at them in English, glare at them, and threaten them.

I will accept that this does not happen all of the time, by all of the soldiers, but the capacity is there, and discretion is given a wide berth.

It is quite clear, though that it wasn't really the Iraqis that were caught with their pants down.

Jim