[MORE IRAQ / ABU GHRAIB][THE-SIGNAL.COM][S.C.V. HISTORY IN PICTURES]CACI's Letter to The Signal
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dated Friday, June 11, 2004
Published Sunday, June 13, 2004Re: "Taguba: Guards Heeded SCV Translator" by Leon Worden
(in) The Signal, Friday, May 28, 2004First 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 the American contractors' charred and mutilated bodies hung from the bridge girders in Fallujah. All of 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 perspective to CACI's work in Iraq.
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 while expanding technology and weapons. 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 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.
Mr. John Israel was incorrectly identified as a CACI employee in the leaked sections of the report issued by Major General Antonio M. Taguba regarding allegations of abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison. Mr. Israel is not now and never has been an employee of CACI.
Henry E. Hockeimer Jr., a partner in Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin in Philadelphia, attorney for Steven A. Stefanowicz, stated "Any meaningful review of the facts will inevitably lead to the conclusion that Mr. Stefanowicz's conduct was both appropriate and authorized."
CACI is committed to the fundamental American principle of justice outlined in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, that all our citizens are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty. CACI firmly believes in the principles of "due process" and "the rule of law." In light of the complete absence of any action by the government to charge Mr. Stefanowicz with any offense, or to request any disciplinary action be taken against him, the company is not in a position to take any action.
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 carefully screened and qualified all potential interrogators presented to the U.S. Army for the Army's final acceptance in accordance with the Statement of Work. CACI reviewed nearly 1600 job applications but approved less than 3% for submission to the US Army for further review prior to presentation of job offers. Less than 2% of the total were hired and deployed to Iraq.
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.
In the Senatorial hearing of Friday May 6, 2004, when asked "What are the roles of contractors and who supervises them?" Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld replied that they are "responsible to military intelligence who hire them and have the responsibility for supervising them." Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee added, "In the theatre we have employed civilian contract interrogators and linguists, the central command has done this, and these people have no supervisory capabilities at all. They work under the supervision of officers in charge or noncommissioned officers in charge of whatever team or unit they are on. And they, most of them, are retired military and they are usually of the skill that they retired in and that is what they are employed for, and they assist in these processes. But they are not in a supervisory role." General Smith also added, "In this particular case there is a Tiger Team that interrogates and goes through that process. One is an interpreter normally, one is an analyst and one is an interrogator. And where we have a shortage in the military of interrogators and translators we go to contractors to do that." Questions about supervision in Iraq should not be confused with intensity of supervision. The military supervised CACI employees in Iraq, and our employees tell us that military personnel regularly monitored them as they performed interrogations.
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.
Jody Brown
Senior Vice President, Public Relations
CACI International Inc.
Arlington, VA
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