Immediately upon learning of the allegations regarding US Defense Department
Intelligence organizations' knowledge of, involvement in, or failure to report
information on the deaths in Guatemala of Michael DeVine and Efrain Bamaca
Velasquez, the Department of Defense directed the prompt identification,
protection, and collection of any information relevant to this issue.
Although the allegations are anonymous and, to date, are not corroborated, the
Department is committed to a thorough and aggressive examination of all
pertinent facts surrounding this issue. To that end the Department of Defense
today established a high level Guatemala Review Panel to oversee all aspects of
the Department's own inquiries into allegations about DoD activities involving
Guatemala. The panel is co-chaired by DoD's Inspector General and General
Counsel and will include the Inspector Generals of the National Security
Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Army, as well as the Assistant to
the Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Oversight and a representative of the
Joint Staff.
DoD is and will continue to cooperate fully with all other inquiries being
conducted into this matter.
The Guatemala Review Panel will undertake a comprehensive and carefully
conducted review of the specific allegations regarding US Army and NSA
activities as well as a broad review of any and all other related issues which
may be relevant.
