OBL raid: "No Easy Day" contains classified information, says Pentagon
Addressing the media at the Pentagon, Little described the book as a "no-brainer,” saying that the Pentagon was concerned as the author had not submitted the book for a pre-publication review to them.
In the book, published by Penguin’s Dutton imprint, former US Navy SEAL writing under a pseudonym, Mark Owen, identified in media reports as Matt Bissonnette, describes his role in the famed raid on bin Laden’s Pakistani hideout as well other operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during his 14-year career as a Navy commando.
The book has already featured on Amazon’s bestseller list for the last two weeks, despite being released on September 4.
Responding to a question on Pak-US relations, Little stressed that US ties with Pakistan were on a better footing now and he hoped the that the issue of the book will not affect relations between the two countries.
The spokesman further said that in days after the raid, they had scrubbed the material of sensitive information before it was cleared for press briefings,"Regrettably, there were disclosures that were problematic."
Asked if the US government would take legal action against the author, Little said officials were reviewing all legal options.
"Legal avenues are available to us. I'm simply not going to get into what we may or may not decide," he said.
Earlier in the week the Defence Department had warned the ex-commando and his publisher not to release “No Easy Day” next week, saying the author violated non-disclosure agreements he signed while in uniform.
The Pentagon said it has reviewed the text but officials declined to say if the book reveals state secrets, vowing to keep all legal options open.
Bissonnette's lawyer offered a rebuttal to the Pentagon, insisting the author had not broken faith with his commitments and that the non-disclosure agreements did not apply to the bin Laden operation.
COMMENTS (19)
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@Tony Singh: Dear Tony, I think you mean Tony Sing trusts America, but certainly not the world. Just ask anybody in Iraq, Libya, Syria, Korea, Vietnam and the other 30 odd countries America has attacked since WWII. Oh, but silly me, I forgot. You would visit the gravestones of millions of people murdered in those 37 countries, and say good job America; I trust you even if you kill my loved ones as well. After all, killing people is just part of the job when you are securing world wide resources. Another aspect to consider, is where would America find a nuclear weapon without US markings or The "Star of David" stamped on the side, but then America can do anything can't it? They even lost several Boeing aircraft engines at 9/11 sites, and jet engines are made out of the toughest metal known to man. However, looking at the whole thing from a different perspective I suppose if they cannot find black boxes and jet engines, from 9/11, on their own territory perhaps Iraqi nukes are still in Iraq somewhere? Another aspect of American trustworthiness is that since taking over Afghanistan they have managed to lift production of heroin from virtually zero to many billions of dollars. Yes Tony, on second thoughts I think you are correct. We can safely trust US CENTCOM to bomb, kill people, and grow opium for heroin production, and all this whilst saving the Afghan people. What more could we expect?
@Sexton Blake: You know what Mr. Blake, they did not find WMDs in Iraq and they were honest about it. Had it been any other country, it most probably would have planted one. That is why. Mr. Blake the world trusts America.
@BruteForce: Dear BruteForce/Butt, I think you two guys are comparing apples with oranges. I suppose we could go for the next eleven years comparing Muslims with Non-Muslims and trying to determine who are the most evil, and then the next eleven years. This may well happen because America appears to enjoy being on a war footing and then dragging in all its poodle NATO buddies who in turn tear around invaded countries robbing, pillaging and killing a few so-called militants and many innocent children. The real reason that America is in Afghanistan is is to pillage natural resources. For example, 30 billion dollars worth of heroin per annum, shipped out in US military aircraft, huge deposits of rare earth, and other below ground riches, together with the strategic positioning of Afghanistan. Contrary to what you said Muslims do not believe 9/11 was a hoax. It was very real. What they would like to see is a little believable evidence as to how it happened. For example, why doesn't the Pentagon release 9/11 CCTV footage of a Boeing aircraft, other than a few blurred images, crashing into the building. You obviously do not believe in the rule-of-law, and ignore the fact that America tells unbelievably huge lies. An example is Iraq. Iraq supposedly had weapons of mass destruction, but after America, for all practical purposes, destroyed the country they could not find any weapons of mass destruction. One thing I have to agree about with you is that we do not fully know what happened in Abbattobad, nor do we know what really happened at 9/11. What we can be sure of is that Washington will obviate the truth. Perhaps "No Easy Day" will fill in the Abbattobad gaps.
@Sexton Blake:
"Prey tell me why Washington did not bring Osama bin Laden to America and give him a fair trial in a-court-of-law, which would have established 9/11 truth once and for all."
Osama in his videos that he used to release regularly, owned up the 9/11 strikes and praised the people who perpetrated the act. The man in question has himself admitted to it. But, still you want to demonise America.
its the mentality which bothers everyone. Muslims cannot do any wrong, goes the mentality. 9/11 was a hoax, 26/11 was a hoax, militants in Pakistan are actually RAW/CIA agents. So, the theory goes that no Muslim can do any wrong.
"I think any person with reasonable intelligence has a fairly good idea why it did not happen."
Then, Pakistanis must be the most intelligent of the lot. Only Pakistanis have such a hard time believing 9/11 was real. Everyone else does. 50 plus countries for NATO and they sent their troops to aid America in the time of need in Afghanistan.
If you can't say for sure what happened in Abbottabad, then how can you claim Osama didn't live there? Its the hate that you have for the US that makes you tell all this.
@Sexton Blake: "Prey tell me why Washington did not bring Osama bin Laden to America and give him a fair trial in a-court-of-law, which would have established 9/11 truth once and for all. I think any person with reasonable intelligence has a fairly good idea why it did not happen."
By the same defination prey tell why was Nawab Akbar Bugti assassinated. Gen Mushy could have given hinm a fair trail in a-court-of-law, which would have established the true situation in Baloch once and for all. I think any person with reasonable intelligence has a fairly good idea why it did not happen.
@Sexton Blake: When do you expect OBL to make his next statement from his "hideout."
@Jihad Bil-Qalam: Dear Jihad, I agree with you. Do you think it is a repeat of the Julian Assange scenario?
@BruteForce: Dear BruteForce, We only have Americas' word for it as to what happened at Abbattobad, and we know that Washington has a strong tendency to tell lies. Prey tell me why Washington did not bring Osama bin Laden to America and give him a fair trial in a-court-of-law, which would have established 9/11 truth once and for all. I think any person with reasonable intelligence has a fairly good idea why it did not happen.
@Pakboy: I fully agree with your statement. The real fools are the Pakistani Parliamentarians for forming a Committee on Abbotbad.
@Pakboy: "Whoever believes “Abbotabad May 2 Raid” was real is nothing but a fool." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And Whoever believes “Abbotabad Commission” was real is nothing but a fool.
@Pakboy: a true pakistani mentality like earth is flat and evolution is fake
Still selling this story, first it was US Government and now the navy seals want to cash it as much as possible. Good business.
@Pakboy:
And, you know for a fact that is not true. I wonder how!
Pray, tell me how his wives and children ended up in the compound?
Truth comes out, American constitution provides liberty of expression, why should Government take action against author if he is not official? Moreover, this truth will also increase hate between America and the Muslims in the world. A dead person was shot deat brutaly,whcih was inhuman act, now American governmnet should comprehend why the world should be cheated and what would be the cost?
Whoever believes "Abbotabad May 2 Raid" was real is nothing but a fool.
Little stressed that US ties with Pakistan were on a better footing now and he hoped that the issue of the book will not affect relations between the two countries. Mr. Little you are true to your name I wonder how this book will upset the relations with Pakistan while we Pakistanis are still accommodating you despite of your Droning, violation of our sovereignty and killings of our soldiers at the borders and in the heart of Lahore.
In a few more months this will also unravel like 9/11 staged drama