Gaps in intelligence, language cited in Cole attack

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is boosting its capability in Arabic communications amid heighted threats of attack in the Middle East.

U.S. officials said the effort follows a key lesson in a report on the Oct. 7 attack on the USS Cole in Aden. The Pentagon report said U.S. troops and ships in the Middle East do not receive enough intelligence and suffered from weaknesses in Arabic communications.

Last week, the Pentagon launched an effort to boost Arabic language capabilities for U.S. troops in the Middle East. The Defense Department awarded an $18.5 million contract to All World Language Consultants, based in Rockville, Md.

Officials said the Pentagon tender was opened for bidding in June, three months before the Cole attack. Three proposals were submitted.

All World Language Consultants, a Pentagon announcement said, will provide for modern standard Arabic interpretation and translation services for U.S. troops in the Gulf. Those receiving the services will be military personnel authorized to protect U.S. soldiers in the region.

The Arabic language effort will be performed in several locations in Saudi Arabia and other countries, the Pentagon said.