FAS Project on Government Secrecy: The Taguba Report

The ISOO is responsible for oversight of classification policy in the executive branch.

In an apparent violation of classification rules, the report by Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba, which identified numerous illegal acts of abuse, was classified Secret/No Foreign Dissemination.

Yet the executive order that governs national security classification states that "In no case shall information be classified in order to... conceal violations of law...."

The ISOO move, reported in the Washington Post today, came in response to a May 6 letter from the Federation of American Scientists questioning the secrecy of the Army report and requesting an investigation.

"It is disappointing to realize that in this case the national security classification system functioned, intentionally or not, to cover up an egregious set of crimes," the FAS letter said. See:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/2004/05/sa050604.pdf
"It is my intent to pursue the issues you identified in your letter," ISOO director William Leonard promptly responded. "I will advise you when my review is complete." See:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/2004/05/isoo050604.pdf
Mr. Leonard noted in a telephone interview that ISOO is already investigating related Defense Department classification policies regarding detention and interrogation activities at Guantanamo Bay.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/secrecy/2004/05/050704.html