WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Central Command (CENTCOM) tried to block a congressional delegation from probing the war in Afghanistan, claiming too much oversight would hinder the mission, the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence said in a 2008 report published by WikiLeaks.
"Although before departure [to Afghanistan] the [US] Secretary of Defense’s office confirmed their support for the trip, CENTCOM remained strongly unsupportive of our initiative both during the planning phase in Washington, telling us not to come due to the ‘burden’ of oversight, as well as once we were on the ground," the report, released on Thursday, stated.
On Wednesday, WikiLeaks began releasing documents from hacked e-mails of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, which included the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence 2008 report.
"Everyone we spoke with on the ground in Afghanistan and Pakistan confessed that they know of no overall US government strategy for the region," the report said.
According to the report, the congressional delegation observed "quality individuals serving judiciously in their own lanes ungoverned by a coordinated, comprehensive strategy."
The report also warned against sending additional US troops into Afghanistan until the safe havens based in Pakistan, which fuel the Afghan insurgency, had been eliminated.
Last week, President Barack Obama announced that Washington will keep 5,500 troops in Afghanistan beyond the end of 2016, the original withdrawal deadline.
In 2013, Brennan replaced General David Petraeus as head of the CIA.
WikiLeaks said it would release additional documents from Brennan’s hacked private e-mail account on succeeding days.
