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Pentagon angered by release of photos from military mortuary
Dover (US), Apr 23: A web site published dozens of photographs of American war dead arriving at America`s largest military mortuary, prompting The Pentagon to order an information crackdown.
Dover (US), Apr 23: A web site published dozens of photographs of American war dead arriving at America's largest military mortuary, prompting The Pentagon to order an
information crackdown.
The photographs were released last week to first amendment activist Russ Kick, who had filed a Freedom of Information Act request to receive the images. Air force officials initially denied the request but decided to release the photos after kick appealed their decision.
After Kick posted more than 350 photographs on his web site, the defence department barred the further release of the photographs to media outlets. "They're not happy with the release of the photos," Dover Air Force base spokesman Col. Jon Anderson said.
The photos were taken at the Dover Base -- home to the mortuary -- and most of the images are of flag-draped coffins.
Defence department rules prohibit media coverage of human remains arriving at Dover, and Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Gary Keck said release of the mortuary photos appears to be in conflict with department policy. Defence officials said the purpose of the policy is to protect the privacy of the soldiers' families -- not to circumvent or violate the freedom of information act or any other law.
"Quite frankly, we don't want the remains of our service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice to be the subject of any kind of attention that is unwarranted or undignified," said John Molino, a Deputy Undersecretary of defence.
Bureau Report
After Kick posted more than 350 photographs on his web site, the defence department barred the further release of the photographs to media outlets. "They're not happy with the release of the photos," Dover Air Force base spokesman Col. Jon Anderson said.
The photos were taken at the Dover Base -- home to the mortuary -- and most of the images are of flag-draped coffins.
Defence department rules prohibit media coverage of human remains arriving at Dover, and Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Gary Keck said release of the mortuary photos appears to be in conflict with department policy. Defence officials said the purpose of the policy is to protect the privacy of the soldiers' families -- not to circumvent or violate the freedom of information act or any other law.
"Quite frankly, we don't want the remains of our service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice to be the subject of any kind of attention that is unwarranted or undignified," said John Molino, a Deputy Undersecretary of defence.
Bureau Report