Barack Obama has hit out at the "outrage" of executives at struggling insurance giant AIG receiving millions of dollars in bonuses.
In an angry statement, Mr Obama said the company's financial problems were the result of "recklessness and greed".
As such it was hard to justify £117m in extra pay to executives, he said.
AIG has received more than £120bn in bailout cash from the government.
The insurer is now 80% owned by the state as a result of attempts to prop up the struggling firm.
The government stepped in amid concern that if allowed to fail, AIG's collapse would have far-reaching consequences, deepening the global recession.
Since becoming president, Mr Obama has stressed the importance of firms being made to be accountable over money they receive from taxpayers.
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Subject: Angry Obama Slams AIG Bonus Outrage 
Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:30 pm
