OPSEC Challenges Parties To Add Platform Language Opposing Politicization Of National Security Missions, Use Of Intelligence Leaks

OPSEC Challenges Parties To Add Platform Language Opposing Politicization Of National Security Missions, Use Of Intelligence Leaks

Statements of Priorities Present Opportunity For Bipartisan Commitment To Protect Those Who Serve

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As both national political conventions prepare to issue platforms articulating their respective policy priorities, OPSEC - a group of former CIA officers and Special Operations members - is challenging them to show a bipartisan commitment to the men and women who serve in national security missions by adopting language that opposes any politicization of Special Operations missions and the use of Intelligence leaks for political or policy advantage.

"Using Special Operations missions and Intelligence leaks for political purposes demeans those who serve the entire nation and puts them at greater risk by disclosing critical details to the enemy," said Scott Taylor, president of OPSEC. "National political conventions may be partisan but by adopting strong language in their party platforms they can demonstrate a bipartisan commitment to protecting those who serve from politicization and leaks."

Democrats and Republicans both have denounced the unprecedented rise in intelligence leaks during the past few years with Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), a member of House Intelligence Committee, describing it as a "culture of leaks." National security missions like the raid on the compound of Osama bin Laden have also been used as the basis for partisan political advertising, despite years of work by thousands of Americans of all political philosophies to make the raid possible and successful.

OPSEC last week announced the release of "Dishonorable Disclosures," a documentary short film that views the impact of the increasing number of leaks on Intelligence and Special Operations missions, tradecraft, tactics and capabilities from the perspective of those who have relied on these tools to carryout similar missions and protect themselves and those they served alongside. The film will be shown at events in key states across the country over the next several months, including Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Colorado, North Carolina and Nevada. More information about OPSEC and news about the release of "Dishonorable Disclosures" can be found at www.OpSecTeam.org.

"It's important for the men and women who serve our country to know that the candidates who represent our political parties share a core commitment to protect them from leaks and insulate them from politics even if they differ on many other things," said Taylor. "Enshrining that commitment among the principles of each party's platform sends the right signal loud and clear and ensures voters have a way to hold them accountable for living up to it."

SOURCE OPSEC

OPSEC

CONTACT: Chad Kolton, +1-202-789-4365


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