Guards' Behavior at Kabul Embassy 'Inexcusable,' Gates Says

Defense Secretary Robert Gates responded for the first time Thursday to a controversy at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan by saying the alleged lewd hazing and sexual horseplay among guards at the embassy is "offensive" and "inexcusable."

The misconduct was detailed in a watchdog's report earlier in the week. The report was accompanied by graphic photos of nude, homoerotic parties staged just miles from the U.S. diplomatic mission. According to the report, the "deviant hazing and humiliation" had led to a breakdown in the chain of command and compromised security.

Asked about the controversy, Gates said it was too early to say what needs to be done.

"But if those allegations are true, those activities are not just offensive to Afghans and Muslims. They're offensive to us and inexcusable," Gates said.

In response to the allegations, the State Department's inspector general is launching an investigation into the contractor that provides the guards, ArmorGroup North America. The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan also has banned alcohol and assigned personnel to watch over the security guards.

The Project on Government Oversight, which exposed the alleged behavior this week, described the atmosphere at the embassy as a "Lord of the Flies" environment.

One photo released by the group showed mostly naked men dancing around a campfire; another showed one man eating food out of another's buttocks; and another photo showed a naked man peeing in front of others. Alcohol is prevalent in most of the pictures.

According to the report, and the personal accounts it included, the behavior was not consensual.

POGO said that guards claim the supervisors are hazing and pressuring other guards to participate, creating a "climate of fear and coercion." Those who do not participate are ridiculed, demoted or even fired.