Instructions on how to handle Abu Ghraib investigation on a public relations level. Primary message is that abuses at Abu Ghraib was committed by a "small group of soldiers and civilian contractors who apparently failed to respect the dignity of those in their custody" Statement also explains that, "The abuses ocurred in a dangerous place where young men and women faced hazards that many people cannot comprehend. Abuses, even under these conditions, are not excusable".
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Subject: Public Affairs Guidance for the Public Release of the Investigation of Intelligence Activities at Abu Ghraib
Background:
a.
On 31 March 2004, at the request of the Combined Joint Task Force Seven (CJTF-7) commander, LTG Ricardo S. Sanchez, the Department of the Army appointed MG George Fay to investigate allegations that members of the 205 th Military Intelligence Brigade (205 MI BDE) were involved in detainee abuse at the Abu Ghraib Detention Facility.
b.
In mid June 2004, following LTG Sanchez' decision to recuse himself, the Acting Secretary of the Army designated General Paul Kern, commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, to be the new appointing authority for this investigation.
c.
On 25 June 2004, GEN Kern appointed LTG Anthony R. Jones, Deputy Commanding General, US Army Training and Doctrine Command, as an additional investigating officer.
d.
GEN Kern signed the investigation report on 6 August 2004, finalizing its content.
Posture: Public Affairs posture is ACTIVE following the public release of the investigation of intelligence activities at Abu Ghraib (a.k.a. Jones-Fay Report). Refer queries specific to the findings of the report, and requests to interview the report's investigators, to Army Material Command PAO. Refer general questions concerning detainee abuse to the Media Relations Division, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, HQDA.
Policy: Refer to the report as the investigation of intelligence activities at Abu Ghraib. Do not use the term "Procedure 15" as a stand-alone term, unless you are using it to explain the context and method of conducting the investigation. Procedure 15 is a technical term that may cloud the public's understanding of this sensitive issue. (Covered under AR 381-10, US Army Intelligence Activities, it is one of several existing procedures used when an intelligence activity is suspected of being questionable. Procedure 15 is used to determine whether intelligence activities are legal and consistent with applicable policy.) For external communications, refer to the investigation's findings as the investigation of intelligence activities at Abu Ghraib. For internal communications, you may refer to the investigation by the more commonly known "Jones-Fay Report." Organizations and leaders will not comment beyond their knowledge or involvement in the investigation.
Statement: (QUOTE) The Army has concluded its investigation of intelligence activities at Abu Ghraib. Begun March 31 and concluded on August 6, it is a comprehensive review of the 205 th
MI Brigade, including contractor support, and higher chain of command through CJTF-7. The investigation determined that the primary causes of abuse at Abu Ghraib are misconduct by a small group of soldiers and civilian contractors who apparently failed to respect the dignity of
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those in their custody, a lack of discipline on the part of leaders and soldiers of the 205 th MI Brigade, and a failure of leadership by multiple echelons within Combined Joint Task Force 7. Twenty-seven (27) 205 th MI Brigade personnel allegedly requested, encouraged, condoned or solicited MP personnel to abuse detainees and / or participated in detainee abuse and / or violated established interrogation procedures and applicable laws and regulations during interrogation operations at Abu Ghraib. Leaders bear responsibility for lack of oversight, failure to react to warnings and indications, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross report, and policy memos that failed to provide clear, consistent guidance for intelligence gathering execution at the tactical level. The 205 th MI Brigade and 800 th MP Brigade leaders at Abu Ghraib failed to supervise or provide direct oversight, to properly discipline their soldiers, to learn from prior mistakes, and to provide continued mission-specific training. Additionally, some allegations pertaining to "ghost detainees" were substantiated. Interrogation practices of other governmental agencies were a contributing factor to a loss of accountability at Abu Ghraib.
The abuses occurred in a dangerous place where young men and women faced hazards that many people cannot comprehend. Abuses, even under these conditions, are not excusable. Those allegations that indicate criminal activity on the part of U. S. Army Soldiers have been referred to the U. S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and to their respective chains of command Allegations of abuse by civilian contractors have been referred through the Department of Defense to the Department of Justice.
The Army remains committed to ensuring abuses like those committed at Abu Ghraib never happen again, and that all Soldiers live up to the Army Values and the Laws of Land Warfare, regardless of the environment or circumstance. The report can be found at www... (END QUOTE)
Theme: The Army is committed to ensuring all Soldiers live up to the Army Values and the Laws of Land Warfare regardless of the environment or circumstance.
Key messages:
•
The Army said it would go where the facts lead. This investigation is just one of several into various aspects of the overall issue of detainee abuse.
•
The abuses occurred in a dangerous place where young men and women faced hazards many of us cannot comprehend. Abuses, even under these conditions, are not excusable.
•
The American people can be justly proud of the conduct and accomplishments of American Soldiers fighting in the Global War on Terrorism. They should not allow the actions of a few to taint their respect for the honor, courage, commitment, sacrifice and selfless service of those living up to the Army Values.
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1500 (EDT). It will have a link to the redacted report and its EXSUM. A transcript of the Pentagon press briefing will also be posted to army.mil as soon as possible.
2. SRTV will carry the press briefing live on SoldiersRadio.com .
3.
PAO's should make every effort to view the press briefing live on the Pentagon Channel, www.pentagonchannel.mil or to listen to it live on SoldiersRadio.com . http://www.army.mil/srtv/SoldiersRadio/SRL.html
4.
PAO's will maximize the use of HQDA provided CI products (ARNEWS article, SoldiersRadio.com and SRTV products) in the installation CI publications -- to include web.
5. PAO's should save space in their installation newspapers for the ARNEWS article.
Points of Contact:
a. The POC for this Public Affairs Guidance is LTCOM111 ¦1111. OCPA (SCD) at COMM. (703) 614-011 e-mail:4111111111@tqy
@hgda.army.mil .
l
b. The HQDA POC for media inquiries is LTC_OCPA (MRD) at COMM.
(703) 614-1111111, e-mail: _ILLqcy
@IIa.arrn
c. The POC for media queries on the report's findings is _AMC PAO, at COMM (703) 806-11., e-mail:11111111/111.1,@hqamc.army.mil.
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