My friend writes long emails and includes a wonderful amount anecdotal information. Here's another part of this email he sent me (censored for purposes of security):
I met Axxx the other night walking dejectedly to the shower. The usual
"how are you" was answered by a shrug and "My mother died." Axxx is
about my age, but there is something significant about the death of a
parent, regardless of your age or your parent's condition.
I expressed commiseration, and Axxx explained that his site manager
(xxxxx xxxx) would not let him go to her funeral. (Axxx is
Lebanese and his mother, two brothers, and sister still live there.)
"Why not?" I was aghast.
"They say that if I go to Lebanon, which is on the "State Department
black list," (There is a travel advisory for Lebanon) I'll lose my
security clearance." I explained that I've never heard of such a situation.
Even during the height of the Cold War, people with a security
clearance could visit behind the Iron Curtain, there were just bureaucratic
hurdles and security issues to be discussed before going.
So we sat down, talked a bit about the company and its resources. We
also discussed the possibility of having a memorial service here in
Iraq, etc. Axxxx was beginning to feel better.
Then, Axxx showed me a piece of paper with instructions for emergency
leave. Which had a contact number in the U.S. So, sitting there in
front of the hootch we called (the company). A very nice woman answered the
phone; I explained Axxx' situation and explained that I'd never heard
of such a rule about clearances. xxxxx xxxx years in intelligence,
never heard of such an uncompassionate thing, even at the height of the
cold war . . . etc. etc.
So, she put me on hold, did a quick 2-minute research, and came back to
me with three thoughts. (1) She couldn't talk to me because of privacy
issues, (2) Axxxx must contact the Red Cross and get a formal
declaration of his mother's death, and (3) he should talk to his Special Security
Officer.
Not a problem, I handed the phone to Axxx and he heard the same
suggestions.
Two days later, I met him again. He was cheerful and making
preparations to visit Lebanon. He had talked to his security officer and the
Special Security Officer of the Army unit with whom he works,. [An Army
Master Sergeant who worked in the security office was incensed. "Hell,
we'll make it happen."] The Army security officer said she'd never
heard of such a problem; talked to her Colonel, Axxx talked to his
Colonel, both of whom called the xxxxx (company) Site Manager, and, lo and behold, an
emergency leave was arranged.
Whether it was simply lack of knowledge about security issues, laziness
about finding out, or just plain cussedness, I don't know; but
apparently two phone calls by irate Colonels can have an effect. You don't
suppose that rank matters in the Army? Or that contract officers pay
attention to the customer?
***************
Another day in my friends Iraqi diary.
Hawk |
