Civilian Translator in Custody (3rd Gitmo Arrest)

[underpants]

Guantanamo Translator Arrested, Suspected of Carrying Camp Secrets

http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/WorldNewsTonight/logan_arrest030930.html

Sept. 30— A civilian translator who worked at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp has been arrested, suspected of taking classified information from the camp where hundreds of suspects in the war on terror are being held.

Homeland security, customs and border inspection agents decided to conduct a random search of (Ahmed) Mehalba. In Boston

According to senior government officials, after the request for a search, Mehalba began to act nervously.


Officials said they discovered he was carrying CD-ROMs and other documents that appeared to contain classified information about the prison camp.

The initial charge against Mehalba is making false statements, for allegedly telling the FBI that he did not have any documents from the prison camp, but more charges are possible. He is scheduled to be arraigned at federal court in Boston this afternoon.

[goforit]

1. Meanwhile the real terroist is sitting in the Oval Office!

Hmmmmm........Oh well!

[The Magistrate]

2. So Much For The 'Security State', My Friend

If the personnel of the ultimate prison are shot through with dissidents and spies, what use is the damned place, even on the terms of those who desire it?

[underpants]

3. My opinion and many others too

Not just here on DU but several peopel i have talked to. Some of them shocked me that they even knew about this and had formulated and opinion.

Okay here it is, not spies but whistleblowers. Never to see the light of day again.

[The Magistrate]

4. That Seems Likely To Me As Well, Sir

Even the alleged espionage links could well be no more than attempts to get information to next of kin; the things would look very similar.

[Jack The Tab]

5. BINGO!

It could very well be that these individuals perhaps expressed some concern, and are now deemed a security risk.

The way this administration treats the Arabic translators is quite baffling. Remember about a year ago when the Pentagon fired 8 newly hired arabic translators because they were gay?

If I knew Arabic, I think the LAST place I'd work would be for this administration.

[The Magistrate]

6. That Is One Of The Problems, Sir

Persons who are fluent in Arabic are likely to be Muslim, either by birth and upbringing, or by conversion. It makes it hard to get reliable help, so to speak....

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. underpants...i agree...these poor bastards know first hand about the .

the torture that has been going on at Gitmo....and they must be silenced and discredited...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. Pet peeve

The guy was probably an interpreter, not a translator, unless he was working exclusively with written documents. If he was turning spoken English into spoken Arabic/Pashtun/or whatever and vice versa, he was an interpreter.

The media get this wrong all the time, but these are two different jobs. Calling an interpreter a translator is calling an actor a writer. Some people do work with both written and spoken language, but the two jobs require different sets of skills. I'm a well-regarded translator, but a lousy interpreter, because I can't "change channels" between Japanese and English fast enough.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

8. 3 down 2 more to come...i heard weeks ago (on the vine) there are 5

[DuctapeFatwa]

10. Internment this time will be called "Operation Secure Shelter"

It will be presented as enhanced security, to protect Muslims from attacks by unbalanced individuals or those who are not aware that the regime has repeatedly denied that it is mounting a crusade against Islam.

The majority of the voting class will acknowledge that with so many nutcases out there, it probably is best for all concerned, but a damn shame that it is necessary.

This site will have a small flurry of posts about how sad it is, and a few will express uncomfortable feelings at seeing neighbors and colleagues led away, but most will agree that "bothered" is too strong a word.

[Vikingking66]

11. What the hell is going on down there in Guantanemo?

Did the Bush admin seriously not screen these people,
or is it the Bush admin coming down on people trying
to tell the truth about Camp Xray?

[pfitz59]

12. Its called a "conscience"!

Something Bush* lacks! These interpreters are probably smuggling out names of detainees and messages for loved ones. THAT info has been deemed classified by Herr Rumsfield and the other Neo-Nazis! (The hell with 'neo-con', call them what they are!)