Bryan Whitman
Bryan Whitman
defense department humane mandates policy provides treatment
This directive provides the overarching Department of Defense policy that mandates humane treatment of detainees.
clear consistent department force respect somebody
This department has been very clear and very consistent with respect to any adjustments being made to force levels. Somebody tell me where there's daylight.
border doubt military operations past porous west
There's no doubt that there has been a very porous border in the west (with Syria), and military operations have focussed on that over the past year.
level minister official photo
He's not a minister of defense. This is not typically the level of official that we would do photo opportunities.
changed focus forces last mission week
The mission and the focus of what our forces are doing (in Iraq) have not changed this week from last week or last month.
base changed decisions focus forces ground last mission spike tend trends violence week
The mission and the focus of what our forces are doing has not changed this week from last week or last month. Any spike in violence is unfortunate and is always concerning, but we tend to look at these things broadly and over time, and base our decisions on trends and on what the commanders on the ground feel is an appropriate balance.
approving business defense deputy secretary
The deputy secretary of defense is not in the business of approving interrogation plans.
across address coalition community concerns involved iraq leaders legitimate peaceful people political reaching urge
The coalition is involved in reaching out to influential community leaders across Iraq to address legitimate concerns of the people, to urge people to participate in (a) peaceful political process.
conspiracy cover defense department engaged gulf illness information learn provide rapidly regarding simply sort war
The idea that the Defense Department has engaged in any sort of conspiracy to cover up any information regarding Gulf War illness is simply not true. We have nothing to hide. As we learn new information, we provide it as rapidly as possible.
aid battalion central combined discussion perhaps supportive
And I think there will be some discussion about the possibility of a combined Central American peacekeeping unit, a battalion ... perhaps to come to the aid of each other, mutually supportive of each other.
close policies procedures
And my sense is that they are pretty close to finalizing what the policies and procedures will be for that,
area concern department issue raised special taking
This has been one area where there has been some concern raised and so the department is taking a look at it and may issue a special instruction on it.
against anyone detainees false handled legal surprise
this is a legal matter, it will be handled as such, but it should not surprise anyone that detainees would make false allegations against their captors.