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Seymour is at it again. A friend should let Seymour in on the concept of retirement.

NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 889-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sep 10, 2004
Media Contact: (703)697-5131
Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711

Department of Defense Statement on Seymour Hersh Book

Based on media inquiries, it that appears Mr. Seymor Hersh's upcoming book
apparently contains many of the numerous unsubstantiated allegations and
inaccuracies which he has made in the past based upon unnamed sources.

Detainee operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere have been examined
extensively - both within the Department of Defense and by an independent panel
led by former Secretary of Defense Jim Schlesinger. The U.S. military itself --
not Mr. Hersh or any other reporter - first publicized the facts of the abuses at
Abu Ghraib in January 2004, four months before Mr. Hersh "broke" the story.

To date the Department has conducted 11 investigations, of which eight reports have
been completed and released, additionally:

+ Over 13,000 pages of reports have been compiled thus far.
+ Investigators have completed 950 interviews.
+ 43 Congressional briefings and hearings have been conducted (not to mention 39
additional briefings for Congressional staff).
Those responsible for criminal activities at Abu Ghraib or other detention
facilities are being held accountable.

+ 45 individuals have been referred for courts-martial
+ 12 for General Officer Letters of Reprimand
+ 23 Soldiers have been administratively separated
There are ongoing investigations, and there will be more information
disclosed. Thus far these investigations have determined that no responsible
official of the Department of Defense approved any program that could conceivably
have authorized or condoned the abuses seen at Abu Ghraib.

If any of Mr. Hersh's anonymous sources wish to come forward and offer
evidence to the contrary, the department welcomes them to do so. There are
several open investigations, and we would certainly investigate their allegations
without prejudice or hesitation.

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20040910-1240.html