Iraq Interpreter Mask Ban Rescinded

[babylonsister]

Iraq Interpreter Mask Ban Rescinded
by: Brandon Friedman
Sat Dec 06, 2008 at 07:08:09 AM EST


After coming under heavy criticism from troops, the print media, blogs, and a group of elected officials, the military has dropped its three-month-old ban on interpreter masks in Iraq. From the BBC:

The Pentagon has rescinded a controversial decision that banned Iraqi interpreters working for US troops in Baghdad from protecting their identities by wearing ski-masks.

The ban was meant to reflect the improved security situation - in which interpreters were no longer afraid of retaliation. But that is not the case.

US officials at first tried to defend the Pentagon ruling, saying interpreters could seek alternative employment if they were unhappy with it.

But the issue was taken up by Democratic Senator Ron Wyden. He sent a Congressional petition to the US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.

"Preventing interpreters from concealing their identities puts their lives, as well as the lives of their families at grave risk," said the petition letter.

It went on: "The heightened threat could also reduce the numbers of interpreters available in Iraq, due to death and resignations, and put American service members and their missions in danger."

Col Willoughby said the mask ban had now been lifted and that decisions could be made at an operational level.

"We ask them not to wear masks," he said. "But troop commanders can make that determination."

more...

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2265

Related thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4525303

[Fumesucker]

1. Yeah, we're real close to winning the war there..

We are so loved our translators have to wear black ski masks to keep people from burying them alive in mounds of flowers and candy.