Hermiston Herald - - Dec 4, 2001

Strict control of news from chemical depot nothing new

By Frank Lockwood

Because of official policy, the public, for the most part, knows only what
the Army and it's contractors want known about chemical demilitarization at
Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility.

If past news stories about Umatilla Chemical Depot seemed as if they were
written by the Army and the Army's contractors, that is because, largely,
they probably were. And that may account for the scarcity of personal
interviews and genuine on-the-scene reporting.

There has seen a news clampdown since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the
East Coast, but information stemming from the depot's demilitarization
program had been controlled long before then.

Before Sept. 11, the depot issued frequent press releases regarding
activities and events at the depot. Since then, the approach has changed to
a policy of "If not asked, do not tell." Public information officers still
answer some questions, if asked specific questions, but no longer volunteer
information.

But the news from the depot was filtered long before Sept. 11. Construction
workers, in order to be hired, were required, first by Raytheon and later by
Washington Demilitarization, to sign "no singing" contracts which prevented
them from speaking with the media without prior approval from media experts.
Raytheon's document, titled UM-POL-006, effective Sept. 9, 1999, described
the conditions and methods by which Raytheon employees could release
Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility project information to the general
public.

The policy also applied to all Raytheon subcontractors.

The protocol officer was required to review and pre-approve all Raytheon and
Raytheon subcontractor-generated materials intended for public use. The
protocol officer also was to ensure accurate notification and coordination
of public information with the Department of the Army before public release.
Information for public release included, but was not limited to, information
for public meetings, response to questions regardless of source or method
received, and any presentation materials produced for a public audience. In
other words, information the media and the public is allowed to have is
limited to that which both the contractors and the Army want them to have.
"The Protocol Officer will pre-approve all final statements provided to the
general public," the document states.

Furthermore, Raytheon employees were not to speak their minds in public
meetings, and were to give advance notice of their involvement.
"Raytheon employees planning participation in public meetings will contact
the Protocol Officer at least three working days in advance of a public
presentation and provide the Protocol Officer with presentation materials."
A similar policy was described in Washington Demilitarization's UM-POL-001.

"It is (Washington Demilitarization's) policy not to release information to
the media, except through the Protocol Officer, or ... Project Manager," the
policy says.

Furthermore, the contractor does not welcome surprise visits by the media.
Employees were ordered not to speak, even if spoken to by the media.

The following instructions were included in the employee training and
contracts:
* Do not give interviews or release information unless directed by the
Protocol Officer.
* Direct all media inquiries to the Protocol Officer.
* Contact Umatilla Chemical Depot Security and the Protocol Officer
immediately if the media arrives unannounced at the UMCDF site.

In addition, the company wanted to "coordinate in advance all information
released. with the Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization Office's
Public Affairs Officer."

While people in the community have been interviewed, their opinions were
likely formed through information that had been laundered.

First-hand accounts of day by day activities at Umatilla Chemical Agent
Disposal Facility were, and will likely continue to be, rare.

According to a local union official, workers have too much to lose by
speaking their minds, regardless of what they might want to say.

Frank Lockwwod is a reporter for The Hermiston Herald. You can e-mail him
at flockwood@hermistonherald.com.