Pentagon not acting in trafficking ban

Pentagon not acting in trafficking ban

Pentagon not acting in trafficking ban

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Defense Department has yet to adopt a policy barring human trafficking by overseas contractors despite a demand by President Bush.


Bush said three years ago he had "zero tolerance" for the practice and Congress mandated a similar policy a year later.

A proposal prohibiting defense contractor involvement in human trafficking for forced prostitution and labor was drafted by the Pentagon last summer.

But, the Chicago Tribune said, five defense lobbying groups oppose key provisions and a final policy still appears to be months away, according to those involved and Defense Department records.

The opposing lobbying groups said while they favor the idea in principle, they believe that implementing key portions of it overseas is unrealistic.

They represent thousands of firms, including some of the industry's biggest names, such as DynCorp International and Halliburton subsidiary KBR, both of which have been linked to trafficking-related concerns.