Red Flag Raised Over CIA, Special Forces

[Judi Lynn]

January 17, 2004


THE NATION
Red Flag Raised Over CIA, Special Forces
Collaboration is growing, but an Army officer says it's 'fraught with danger.'



By Greg Miller, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — The increasing collaboration between U.S. special forces units and CIA paramilitary teams is "fraught with danger" because of fundamental differences in the two groups' missions and legal authorities, according to a report published by the U.S. Army War College.

The study points to potential problems with America's growing reliance on CIA and military teams operating together in covert settings. Among them are concerns that members of the armed forces involved in such missions could find themselves considered "unlawful combatants" and deprived of Geneva Convention protections if caught in foreign lands.

The report also raises questions about whether Congress is adequately set up to conduct oversight. (snip/...)

The issue is increasingly significant because the United States is in the midst of a major buildup of the CIA's clandestine service as part of the war on terrorism. At the same time, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has dramatically expanded the Special Operations Command's budget and responsibilities in the war on terrorism. (snip/...)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-paramil17jan17,1,364776.story?coll=la-headlines-nation
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