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DIA disputes Baker group findings

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, December 18, 2006

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department's intelligence agency has issued a response to the Iraq Study Group report.

In a Dec. 6 report, ISG, co-chaired by former Secretary of State James Baker, said DIA maintained fewer than 10 analysts with more than two years of experience and assigned to Iraq.

The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency disputed the assertion saying it employs more than 300 analysts well-versed in Iraq. The agency said 49 of them were assigned exclusively to Iraq.

Officials said the statement was approved by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. They said Rumsfeld has privately criticized the work of ISG, particularly its recommendations for a rapid withdrawal from Iraq.

The DIA said more than 15 percent of its analysts were devoted to supporting the U.S. military presence in Iraq.

"The Defense Intelligence Agency has more than 300 dedicated analysts focused on the many complexities of Iraq," DIA said in a statement on Dec. 12. "They include a core cadre of 49 analysts focused exclusively on the insurgency, at least half of whom have more than two years experience working this issue."


Copyright © 2006 East West Services, Inc.

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