CACI Responds to INTELWIRE Story on Sale of White House Ethics Videos

By J.M. Berger
INTELWIRE.com


INTELWIRE has received the following letter from CACI International, which it is reprinting here in its entirety, in the interest of giving the company full opportunity to comment on the story Contractor Named In Iraq Torture Report Also Sells Ethics Videos To White House.

Prior to publication of that story, INTELWIRE solicited comment from Darrell Heasley and Mark Hemsworth, employees of CACI Media Services, the division which produces the ethics video. Neither person responded to INTELWIRE's emails.

The email that follows was sent by James Horton of Robert Marston and Associates, a PR firm. The first section is a cover letter from Mr. Horton:

Greetings from CACI:

The attached document about the company and its employees is in response to recent articles appearing in the media concerning the company's work in Iraq. The information presented reflects the company's understanding of certain facts about the situation as of this date.

If you remain interested in the facts about CACI, we request you read the attachment and consult the company's on-line Frequently Asked Questions at www.caci.com to get updated information about CACI.

Thank you for your interest.

CACI Public Information Office

The attached document cited in Mr. Horton's e-mail is below. INTELWIRE stands by its story. INTELWIRE further notes that the document below takes issue with the military's own report on CACI's interrogators and not INTELWIRE's characterization of that report, or the undisputed facts reported by INTELWIRE, including that CACI is named in the report and that CACI sells ethics training videos to the White House.

RE: Company Named in Iraq Prison Torture Report Also Sells Ethics Training Videos To White House

Intelwire – 5-6-04
J. M. Berger jmb@interlwire.com

First of all, the company is saddened and disturbed over the photographs that appeared in the media concerning abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. The company was also saddened by the tragic pictures of people jumping out of the windows of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. And the company was further saddened by the horrible pictures of American contractors' charred and mutilated bodies hung from the bridge girders in Fallujah. All these photographs and images, sadly, are part of the war on terrorism.

Secondly, there are some aspects of your article for which we would like to provide additional factual information. We believe the following information adds our perspective to CACI's work in Iraq.

CACI is aware of multiple investigations underway but knows at this time of allegations only against one employee as set forth in the illegally released (leaked) classified (SECRET/NO-FOREIGN] Taguba report (one report in a number of reports conducted as part of an ongoing investigation that has not been concluded), which has not been publicly confirmed.

The military did not have available interrogators needed to gather and analyze field source intelligence data and information in Iraq. CACI provides IT solutions and technology services to the U.S. Intelligence community. CACI interrogation services business is an extension of CACI's tactical intelligence and field services line of business for information collection, data analysis and decision support. CACI performs these contract services because of its commitment to its U.S. Army clients at war in the mid-East.

These private sector positions exist because the military downsized as part of a cutback plan in the early 1990's aimed at reducing Pentagon personnel. The system of private contracting was set up to save taxpayer money by using contractors on an "as needed" basis rather than maintaining military salaries year round, year after year. When services are no longer required contractor work can be cut back quickly.

CACI's interrogators are qualified as required by a Statement of Work. The U.S. military's Statement of Work provides specific criteria for interrogators. CACI employees are monitored and are under direct supervision of the U.S. Army. This was exactly as set forth in CACI services contract to the Army, and CACI has carried it out faithfully.

CACI interrogators were pre-qualified by CACI management both here in the United States and on the ground in Iraq. At all times the U.S. government has had and continues to have oversight of CACI's employees reporting for work.

The Statement of Work requires individuals with information-gathering and analysis experience at the tactical and operational levels and such people need to possess at a minimum a Department of Defense Secret-level security clearance, which requires U.S. government background checks on the individuals. The Statement of Work further specifies that the U.S. military will provide readiness training and briefings on rules of engagement and general orders applicable to U.S. armed forces, DoD civilians and U.S. contractors. This includes abiding by the Geneva Conventions.

CACI employees are monitored and are under direct supervision of the US Army. This was exactly as set forth in CACI services contract to the Army, and CACI has carried it out faithfully. All CACI employees work under the monitoring and supervision of the U.S. military chain of command in Iraq. CACI personnel have no management, supervisory or command authority whatsoever over any non-CACI personnel.

CACI has supported the U.S. Army's investigation since it began several months ago at which time CACI personnel in Iraq volunteered to be interviewed by Army officials in connection with that investigation.

CACI will continue to cooperate with all U.S. Government investigations when requested and is now conducting its own internal investigation and analysis of events. CACI has retained outside counsel to investigate any pending actions against any CACI employee's performance relating to prisoner abuse matters. The company does not condone, tolerate or in any way endorse illegal behavior or inappropriate behavior on the part of any employee in any circumstance, at any time, anywhere.

In the unfortunate event that any CACI employee acted improperly or illegally, CACI will take immediate and appropriate action. None of CACI's employees have been charged with any wrongdoing at this time. It is important that the facts be determined and that unsubstantiated allegations not be permitted to unfairly condemn anyone

CACI continues to support the U.S. Army's mission in Iraq and around the world. CACI employees have received favorable reviews by the U.S. military contract authority. CACI is proud of the work and products provided for its clients worldwide.

We hope you will find this factual information helpful in creating a full and accurate picture of CACI as it relates to both your article and other statements appearing in the media.

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Analysis: Could An Imminent Chalabi Scandal Be Behind Tenet's Surprise Exit?

By J.M. Berger
INTELWIRE.com

President Bush announced that CIA Director George Tenet has resigned for "personal reasons." (external link)

The CIA said in a statement that Tenet reiterated "personal reasons" in a speech to agency employees. "This is the most difficult decision I have ever had to make," Tenet reportedly said. "And while Washington and the media will put many different faces on the decision, it was a personal decision, and had only one basis -- in fact, the well-being of my wonderful family -- nothing more and nothing less."

Tenet has been under fire for months on several fronts. The CIA has taken criticism for its failure to prevent the 9/11 attacks, and for the evolving scandal over pre-war intelligence claims that Iraq was hoarding weapons of mass destruction.

Secretary of State Colin Powell has said on more than one occasion within the last two weeks that intelligence he cited to justify the invasion of Iraq was flawed. Recently, the CIA's interrogation techniques have also come under close scrutiny in the wake of the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal.

Perhaps the most likely explanation has to do with Ahmad Chalabi, an Iraqi nationalist favored by the Pentagon who stands accused of revealing U.S. intel secrets to Iran.

Just hours before Tenet's surprise resignation, National Security Adviser Condi Rice announced that Tenet would personally head an investigation into Chalabi on the basis of unspecified national security concerns. (external link)

Perhaps the most likely explanation has to do with Ahmad Chalabi, an Iraqi nationalist favored by the Pentagon who stands accused of revealing U.S. intel secrets to Iran.

Just hours before Tenet gave Bush his resignation, National Security Adviser Condi Rice announced that Tenet would personally head an investigation into Chalabi on the basis of unspecified national security concerns.

The clear implication of the timing of those two events is that Rice (one of Bush's closest confidantes) did not know Tenet was resigning. Most speculation to date has suggested Tenet's resignation was called for by the president, but the timeline calls that substantially into question.

There are any number of reasons why Tenet might not want to oversee an investigation into Chalabi. Such an investigation is likely to embarrass several high-ranking members of the administration, and embarrassment is only the least of the possible outcomes.

A longtime opponent of Saddam Hussein with a vested interest in overthrowing the Baathist regime, Chalabi is believed to be a major source of the flawed Iraq weapons intelligence. Vice President Dick Cheney has long been a proponent of Chalabi and his intelligence, as has Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.

The CIA has long been considered "politically" opposed to Chalabi (external link), who was recently disowned by the Pentagon as well, on the basis of the Iran allegations.

"I can imagine Tenet is just livid to discover, if this is the case, that someone in or affiliated with the Pentagon had caused this disaster to happen. I can imagine him thinking this was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak. But this is pure speculation on my part," Washington Post Associate Editor Robert G. Kaiser said in an Internet chat today. (external link)

Chalabi himself launched a virulent attack on Tenet as the news of his departure broke, accusing Tenet of authoring false intelligence on Iraqi WMDs.

"He provided erroneous information about weapons of mass destruction to President Bush which caused his government massive embarrassment in the United Nations and his own country," Chalabi said, as reported by Reuters. (external link)

Chalabi also accused Tenet of providing the intelligence that sparked a high-profile U.S. Army raid of Chalabi's home last month. (external link) If true, Tenet may also have been facing pressure within the administration, given Chalabi's once-favored status at the highest levels.

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink