4. JNLWD is seeking to cover up this illicit program by cloaking it behind US secrecy law.
JNLWD has made a systematic effort hide its program from public view and to impede the Sunshine Project's investigation. JNLWD asked the US Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) to perform a legal review of its "non-lethal" chemical weapons; but then classified the JAG opinion, preventing its release. (24) JNLWD has placed export control restrictions on its 81mm "non-lethal" mortar specification. (25) In 2002, JNLWD officials trained US Marine Corps officers in its anti-personnel chemical weapons capabilities. It classified the training "secret". (26) Interviewed by news media, JNLWD officials deny developing chemical weapons; but have informed the Sunshine Project in multiple telephone conversations that they will deny release of documents requested under FOIA because of "classified weapons development". With 18 months elapsed since the Sunshine Project's first Freedom of Information Act requests to JNLWD, almost two thirds of the documents requested have not been released. JNLWD has ordered the US National Academies of Science to halt release of documents it deposited in the public record at that institution, (27) despite the fact that the National Academies states that there are no security markings on the documents requested, (28) and in apparent violation of US law.
TO DOWNLOAD THE MAP AND ILLUSTRATIVE TEXT THAT ACCOMPANY THIS RELEASE, VISIT:
http://www.sunshine-project.org/publications/pr240902map.html
For additional information, please see the website of The Sunshine Project:
http://www.sunshine-project.org
Please continue for NOTES.
JNLWD has made a systematic effort hide its program from public view and to impede the Sunshine Project's investigation. JNLWD asked the US Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) to perform a legal review of its "non-lethal" chemical weapons; but then classified the JAG opinion, preventing its release. (24) JNLWD has placed export control restrictions on its 81mm "non-lethal" mortar specification. (25) In 2002, JNLWD officials trained US Marine Corps officers in its anti-personnel chemical weapons capabilities. It classified the training "secret". (26) Interviewed by news media, JNLWD officials deny developing chemical weapons; but have informed the Sunshine Project in multiple telephone conversations that they will deny release of documents requested under FOIA because of "classified weapons development". With 18 months elapsed since the Sunshine Project's first Freedom of Information Act requests to JNLWD, almost two thirds of the documents requested have not been released. JNLWD has ordered the US National Academies of Science to halt release of documents it deposited in the public record at that institution, (27) despite the fact that the National Academies states that there are no security markings on the documents requested, (28) and in apparent violation of US law.
TO DOWNLOAD THE MAP AND ILLUSTRATIVE TEXT THAT ACCOMPANY THIS RELEASE, VISIT:
http://www.sunshine-project.org/publications/pr240902map.html
For additional information, please see the website of The Sunshine Project:
http://www.sunshine-project.org
Please continue for NOTES.