Bryan Whitman
Bryan Whitman
attacks baghdad cell civilians coalition conducting disrupt force forces iraqi kidnapping local northeast operations raid security special terrorist
An Iraqi special operations force conducted a raid in one of the neighborhoods in northeast Baghdad to disrupt a terrorist cell that had been responsible for not only conducting attacks on Iraqi security forces and coalition forces but also in kidnapping Iraqi civilians in the local area.
attacks aware nature scene
We are aware that journalists, by the nature of their duties, often will be at the scene of attacks when they occur.
al attacks conduct connected continue defense department discovered documents prior qaeda review shows specific
While we continue to review the documentation and conduct interviews, and while there are some who allege specific documents exist, the Defense Department has not discovered any documentation that shows Mohamed Atta connected to al Qaeda prior to the attacks of 9/11.
attacks captured conflict critical enemies engaged information intelligence learn nation saves
Intelligence is critical to this conflict, probably more so than in any other conflict this nation has been engaged in. We know that we learn from our enemies that we have captured information that thwarts attacks and saves lives.
detainees except movement released security talk transit
We typically don't talk about the movement of detainees except when they are being transferred or released to another country. We don't typically talk about the transit for security reasons.
ability capability forces iraqi offer remain responsibility roles security supporting
As they take over responsibility for things there are still US forces in the region. US forces remain in supporting roles with the ability to offer a surge capability to Iraqi security forces.
aspects deal department equipped forces future priority sure terms threats
Countering WMD has been a priority for the department in terms of making sure that our future forces are organized, trained, equipped and resourced to deal with all aspects of threats that are posed by WMD.
commander decision exercise force job military sufficient sure
We don't want to take unnecessary risk. We do make sure that when we exercise military force we use the right resources, sufficient to get the job done. It is a decision made by the commander on the ground,
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.
civilians forces simply suggest target targeting weapons
We don't target any civilians with any of our weapons. And to suggest that U.S. forces were targeting civilians with these weapons would simply be wrong.
proved year
That was rumored a year ago and never proved to be confirmed.
legal mean perfectly policy procedures
You can do something perfectly legal, but that is inconsistent with the policy or procedures of the department. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.
certainly defense good ongoing operations partner pay practice respect war
Well, it certainly is the Defense Department's practice to pay our bills. Uzbekistan has been a good partner in the war on terror, particularly ... with respect to our ongoing operations in Afghanistan.
legal mean
Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.