While the U.S. government is downplaying the strategic impact surrounding the publication of classified military documents on the whistle-blower website Wikleaks, concerns linger over the danger the documents pose for Afghan informants.
According to the Times of London, hundreds of Afghans are named in the documents, and in one instance, the name of the father and village of a would-be Taliban defector is listed.
The Pentagon has not yet revealed any instances of violence against Afghans working with Americans spurred by the publication, but Pentagon spokesperson Colonel David Lapan noted anecdotally Wednesday that U.S. officers in the field have received ‘communications of displeasure’ from at least one informant.
Although the Pentagon is eager to avoid any more leaks, Lapan suggested that Wikileaks should at least run any additional documents by the Department of Defense to determine if they pose any risks.
Representatives from multiple corners of the U.S. government have claimed that the bulk of the information included in the leaks is already known, and thus argue that the leak would have little effect on American strategy. However, on Wednesday, Major General John F. Campbell told reporters in a briefing from Afghanistan that concerns over the revealed informants are warranted.
“If it does, in fact, name names of people who have worked with coalition forces, I could see that that could have a detriment down the road,” Campbell said.
Wikileaks released 75,000 of the 92,000 documents in their possession Sunday.
Leaked Documents Reveal Afghan Informants
While the U.S. government is downplaying the strategic impact surrounding the publication of classified military documents on the whistle-blower website Wikleaks, concerns linger over the danger the documents pose for Afghan informants.
According to the Times of London, hundreds of Afghans are named in the documents, and in one instance, the name of the father and village of a would-be Taliban defector is listed.
The Pentagon has not yet revealed any instances of violence against Afghans working with Americans spurred by the publication, but Pentagon spokesperson Colonel David Lapan noted anecdotally Wednesday that U.S. officers in the field have received ‘communications of displeasure’ from at least one informant.
Although the Pentagon is eager to avoid any more leaks, Lapan suggested that Wikileaks should at least run any additional documents by the Department of Defense to determine if they pose any risks.
Representatives from multiple corners of the U.S. government have claimed that the bulk of the information included in the leaks is already known, and thus argue that the leak would have little effect on American strategy. However, on Wednesday, Major General John F. Campbell told reporters in a briefing from Afghanistan that concerns over the revealed informants are warranted.
“If it does, in fact, name names of people who have worked with coalition forces, I could see that that could have a detriment down the road,” Campbell said.
Wikileaks released 75,000 of the 92,000 documents in their possession Sunday.