Keeping Secrets

There has been unacceptable secrecy concerning the foreign deployment of California National Guard troops, and that calls for quick correction.

After public statements that the only venture into Latin America was the deployment to Honduras of a few military police in April and May of this year, the leaders of the guard have now acknowledged that guard members have flown non-combat missions to a variety of destinations in Central and South America over the last eight years. And after insisting that the military policemen were to be in a safe zone, it has now been admitted that they have been involved in at least one shooting incident.

Adjutant General Willard A. Shank has sought to justify the secrecy, even from the governor, on the ground of national security. Gov. George Deukmejian lacks the highest security clearance necessary for him to share all the information, Shank said. He had better think again.

There is good reason for the guard to have wide experience and to be at high readiness. But there is no excuse to dilute the authority of each governor to control the guard of each state and its deployment in time of peace. A number of governors have perceived the folly of the American military buildup in Honduras, and have wisely vetoed deployment of members of their guards to that nation. That discretion needs to be respected for all governors.

“I don’t like surprises,” Deukmejian said, insisting that he be kept informed. He is right.