Army Denies Major Removed from Post for Blowing Whistle on Albania Cover-upThe Pentagon is dismissing reports that Army Maj. Larry Harrison was removed from his post as a military attache at the U.S. embassy in Albania after he started talking to the House oversight committee.
In a statement just released by the Army’s European Command, spokesperson Lt. Col. Elizabeth Hibner, says that Harrison remains in his post in Tirana, but was already scheduled to be transferred this summer:
MAJ Harrison sent his memo for record to the J-5 desk officer for Albania on April 18, 2008. The desk officer forwarded the memo to the European Command Judge Advocate’s office for consideration. Before further action could be taken, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Staff contacted MAJ Harrison by phone and conducted a preliminary interview.
During the interview, MAJ Harrison referred to the memo, and later provided it upon request of the Committee staff. Following the interview call, the US European Command Washington Liaison Office contacted OSD Legislative Affairs. Subsequently, OSD Legislative Affairs contacted MAJ Harrison to notify him the Committee had formally requested an opportunity to interview him.
MAJ Harrison began a transcribed interview with members of the Committee staff. During the interview, MAJ Harrison requested an opportunity to consult with legal counsel, terminating the interview. At MAJ Harrison’s request, personal counsel was assigned by the Army Judge Advocate Corps.
MAJ Harrison is still assigned as Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation in Albania. However, he has served in that position for his scheduled 2 years, and is due for an assignment during this Summer’s move cycle.
EUCOM has not coordinated with the Department of State about this issue.
Harrison sent an April 18 memo to his commanders about alleged misconduct by State Department officials at the Albania embassy.
