Gates, Mullen appeal for end to disclosures of Osama bin Laden raid details

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/gates-mullen-appeal-for-end-to-disclosures-of-osama-bin-laden-raid-details/2011/05/18/AF3jsk6G_story.html

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reiterated Wednesday his plea for an end to the release of information about the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound, arguing that the disclosure would compromise future missions.

He quickly got backup from Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“We are close to jeopardizing this precious capability that we have, and we can’t afford to do that,” Mullen said. “From my perspective it is time to stop talking. We have talked far too much about this. . . . We need to move on.”

It was not the first time that Gates has worried publicly about the extensive and detailed coverage of the raid. A week earlier he told Marines at Camp Lejeune, N.C., that top administration officials watching the raid in the White House Situation Room had all agreed to stay silent on the details of the mission.