Do you think CentCom should be giving up strategy and tactics because a reporter asks an intelligent question? The Japanese appear to have their neurons firing, while the remainder of the (mostly ignorant) press are more interested in propaganda shots at the U.S. -- but that doesn't mean they deserve to have their questions answered.
My point is that the residents of some foreign countries are much more better served by their jouralist corps than ours because they're actually asking questions - not taking pot-shots like the enemy on the battlefield.
The question about the mines goes to the heart of who's arming Saddam. CENTCOM has no reason to answer any question that may hinder future operations and expose our servicemen and women to potential harm.