WikiLeaks May Have Blood on Its Hands: Mullen

Gates, Mullen warn Afghan leak will do great harm to US, allies
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Suggested by Disillusioned
Posted Jul 30, 2010 5:43 AM CDT
WikiLeaks May Have Blood on Its Hands: Mullen
Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, right, accompanied by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaks at a press briefing at the Pentagon yesterday.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Julian Assange et al "might already have on their hands the blood of some young soldier or that of an Afghan family," because of the massive leak of Afghan war records, Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen told reporters at the Pentagon yesterday. Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, both clearly furious, warned that the leaked documents—which contain identifying information about Afghans who have aided the US—are likely to do great damage to the US military, the New York Times reports.

Gates said the "massive breach" may force the military to rethink its longstanding policy of trying to make information more accessible to troops. "In the wake of this incident, it will be a real challenge to strike the right balance between security and providing our frontline troops the information they need," he said. Gates said the military was working to protect some Afghans identified in the documents.
(More Afghanistan war stories.)

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