CIA Defends Decision to Identify Officer Killed in Afghanistan

By Anne Plummer / December 4, 2001 at 5:00 AM
The CIA yesterday lashed out against "several self-described" experts who criticized its decision to identify the agency officer killed last week in Afghanistan as a public relations stunt. In an unusual display of frustration and anger, CIA spokesman Bill Harlow issued a Dec. 3 statement contending that recent remarks aired on several national television networks by "uninformed critics" of the CIA are "reckless, malicious and cynical." Johnny "Mike" Spann, 32, was killed near Mazar-i-Sharif during a prison uprising by Taliban...

Not a subscriber? Sign up for 30 days free access to exclusive, behind-the-scenes reporting on defense policy and procurement.

Log in to access this content.