WORLD IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Special Prosecutor in MIA Cases Urged

Relatives of servicemen who vanished in the Vietnam War called for a special prosecutor to probe charges that the U.S. government may have abandoned hundreds of Americans in Indochina and lied to cover its tracks. The POW-MIA families also pointed to newly declassified internal Pentagon documents that criticize the Defense Department’s own efforts to track down the missing men and war prisoners, citing “serious shortcomings in every important area.” The request was made to the Senate and House Judiciary committees, which have the authority to request appointment of an independent counsel.