Beware Stacked Deck In Gulf War Illness Investigation
It's Ludicrous To Have An Independent
Investigation Without Power Of Subpoena
By Roger Young
The Northwest Veterans Newsletter
December 1997 - January 1998
On September 7, 1997, the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) called for an independent investigation of Gulf War Illness (GWI). While the staff of the Northwest Veterans Newsletter has pushed for an independent investigation of GWI, there is a statement of much concern to us.
"In its final public hearing after a two-year inquiry, the panel called on the White House or the National Security Council to draw up plans to transfer oversight to an agency other than the Defense Department — possibly one with subpoena power, some panel members suggested."
It is ludicrous, in our opinion, that such an independent investigation would NOT have subpoena powers! One must only look back at the 1992 POW/MIA Senate Select Committee to see, even with subpoena powers, how the DoD manipulated that committee behind closed doors — all under the guise of "national security."
Lessons must be learned from that prior investigation to insure Gulf War veterans receive an HONEST & TRUTHFUL investigation. We state this, not to draw attention to POW issues, but so that Gulf War veterans may benefit from the past.
For your information, certain key Senators were selected to head the committee, in our opinion, to "steer" the results of that committee. Many questions were never answered, and still are not answered on that issue. The same could happen with such an "independent" investigation of Gulf War Illness. And without very strong legal powers in place, one can bet the DoD may do everything to mislead an independent investigation just as they withheld information from the PAC on GWI. Just as was the case in `92 with the POW/MIA Senate Select Committee.
It is not only important that such an independent investigation have subpoena powers, but also the power to review ALL classified documents, including the classified intelligence documents the Eddingtons (former CIA analysts) purportedly handed over to the Senate Intelligence Committee. And this committee should also have the authority to initiate criminal charges against those who fail to cooperate with such an investigation.
Without those powers, in this newsletter's opinion, such an independent investigation could be another sham with little hope of getting to the truth. And finding that truth requires the efforts of all veterans and activists with knowledge of how such investigations can be manipulated to prevent the `mistakes' of the past. Only by connecting the past with the present do we have a hope of making a difference.
A must: Any independent investigation will need the FULL cooperation of the DoD, VA and all intelligence agencies and, by necessity, need full access of all related classified files. Redacted versions will not do. And we fear the DoD, VA and intelligence agencies will do their utmost to protect their domains. We have included the comment of Col. Millard Peck* who resigned his commission over the handling of the POW/MIA matter below as a warning.
We still have hopes that an independent investigation with professional research, for the sake of Gulf War veterans and their families, will provide the answers. We thank Congressman Shay's committee for the recommendations they have made.
Footnote: Statement made by . In his resignation letter as Chief of the Special Office for Prisoners