Guantanamo Troops Ordered to Surrender Laptops 72 Hours Before Leaving U.S. Base

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAKI2SL2MD.html

By Paisley Dodds 
Associated Press Writer 
Published: Oct 21, 2003

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Guantanamo troops are being ordered to
surrender their laptop computers for security sweeps 72 hours before
leaving the U.S. base in Cuba, officials said Tuesday.

The new security precautions were announced as a team of military
investigators wrapped up their assessment of security gaps at the
Guantanamo base where 660 suspected terrorists are being held.

The team arrived earlier this month after two interpreters and a
Muslim chaplain were arrested on charges ranging from espionage to
disobeying orders. Other security precautions were expected after the
team briefed military officials at the base this week.

"We all recognize it's a necessary process," said Army Lt. Col. Pamela
Hart, detention mission spokeswoman. "There haven't been any
complaints."

Troops in the Joint Task Force, responsible for the detention mission,
have been asked to surrender laptops they own and other personal items
such as electronic organizers before departing the base. If the items
clear inspection, they will be returned to the troops at the airport
terminal.

Inspectors will be searching for classified materials or other
documents meant to stay on the base. All personal information -
including e-mails or pictures - can be viewed by inspectors.

"Everything on the hard drive would be accessible for security
personnel to look at," Hart said.

Translator Ahmed Fathy Mehalba, 31, was arrested last month and
accused of making a false statement to U.S. Customs officials and FBI
agents when they asked him if he had any classified information.

A review of one compact disc found 368 documents labeled "SECRET" or
"SECRET/NO FORN," and officials later determined they were classified.

Mehalba had security clearance to see classified documents through his
job as a translator at Guantanamo.

Another Arabic translator, Air Force Senior Airman Ahmad I. al-Halabi,
has been charged with espionage and aiding an unspecified enemy. A
Muslim chaplain, Army Capt. Yousef Yee, has been charged with
disobeying orders for improperly handling classified information.



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