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Pentagon Releases Memo Urging Preservation of Ukraine Aid Documents

Carla Babb

   PENTAGON - The Defense Department's office of the General Counsel has
   ordered Pentagon officials to turn over all documents and
   communications concerning U.S. military aid to Ukraine for cataloguing
   and preservation.

   The documents could play a role in the House of Representative's
   impeachment inquiry involving President Donald Trump and Ukraine.

   In a memo released Friday, General Counsel of the Department of Defense
   Paul Ney wrote that "identifying, preserving and collecting" all
   documents related to Ukraine's military aid was needed "in responding
   to anticipated requests for such materials."

   Documents pertaining to the temporary delay of aid to Ukraine will
   include Defense Department communications with other government
   agencies, Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters
   Thursday.

   "My understanding is this is a fairly standard practice that when there
   is a significant level of Congressional or IG (inspector general)
   interest in a matter for the department to take steps proactively to
   ensure that that these materials are available," he added.
   The House's impeachment inquiry centers around a July phone call
   between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as well as a
   flurry of activities surrounding the call.

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