] This quality-control breakdown has resulted in agencies
] classifying too much information and, in some cases,
] classifying information that by law shouldn't be stamped
] "secret" in the first place. Implying that the government
] classified the reports of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib to
] cover up the scandal, Leonard says:
]
] [I]n no case can information be classified in order
] to conceal violations of law or to prevent embarrassment
] to a person, organization or agency. %u2026 Specifically,
] "exactly from whom are we keeping the information
] secret?" In the case of detainee abuse, we are obviously
] not keeping it secret from the detainees%u2014they
] experience the abuse and interrogation techniques first
] hand. And I assume we do not expect them to sign a
] nondisclosure agreement upon their release from custody
] based upon the premise that they had been exposed to
] classified information when they are subjected to abusive
] techniques.

Our Privacy Czar says the classified system is breaking down in both directions. Link to full speech: http://www.archives.gov/isoo/speeches_and_articles/print_friendly.html?page=bill_leonard_ncms_speech_june_15_2004_content.html&title=NARA%20%7C%20ISOO%20%7C%20NCMS%20Remarks%2015%20June%202004

Too Many Secrets, Says the Secrecy Czar - J. William Leonard frets about the breakdown of the classification system. By Jack Shafer