Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army (86 page)
Read Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army Online
Authors: Jeremy Scahill
BOOK: Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army
7.35Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
CHAPTER 20
1
Transcript, President Bush speaking in the Oval Office, November 8, 2006.
Transcript, President Bush speaking in the Oval Office, November 8, 2006.
2
Renae Merle, “Census Counts 100,000 Contractors in Iraq,”
Washington Post,
December 5, 2006.
Renae Merle, “Census Counts 100,000 Contractors in Iraq,”
Washington Post,
December 5, 2006.
3
Transcript, “Remarks By Vice President Dick Cheney at an Armed Forces Full Honor Review in Honor of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld,” December 15, 2006.
Transcript, “Remarks By Vice President Dick Cheney at an Armed Forces Full Honor Review in Honor of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld,” December 15, 2006.
4
Transcript,
Face the Nation,
CBS, December 17, 2006.
Transcript,
Face the Nation,
CBS, December 17, 2006.
5
Peter Baker, “Bush to Expand Size of Military,”
Washington Post,
December 19, 2006.
Peter Baker, “Bush to Expand Size of Military,”
Washington Post,
December 19, 2006.
6
President George W. Bush, “State of the Union,” January 23, 2007.
President George W. Bush, “State of the Union,” January 23, 2007.
7
Nathan Hodge, “Washington Urged to Save Money By Raising Private Military ‘Contractor Brigade,’”
Financial Times,
February 10, 2005.
Nathan Hodge, “Washington Urged to Save Money By Raising Private Military ‘Contractor Brigade,’”
Financial Times,
February 10, 2005.
8
Mark Hemingway, “Warriors for Hire: Blackwater USA and the Rise of Private Military Contractors,”
The Weekly Standard,
December 18, 2006.
Mark Hemingway, “Warriors for Hire: Blackwater USA and the Rise of Private Military Contractors,”
The Weekly Standard,
December 18, 2006.
9
Mark Hemingway, “Warriors for Hire: Blackwater USA and the Rise of Private Military Contractors,”
The Weekly Standard,
December 18, 2006.
Mark Hemingway, “Warriors for Hire: Blackwater USA and the Rise of Private Military Contractors,”
The Weekly Standard,
December 18, 2006.
10
Author copy of fact sheet from “6
th
International Special Operations Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX 2006),” held March 27-30, 2006, King Abdullah Air Base, Amman, Jordan.
Author copy of fact sheet from “6
th
International Special Operations Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX 2006),” held March 27-30, 2006, King Abdullah Air Base, Amman, Jordan.
11
Ibid.
Ibid.
12
“Record Number of Participants to Visit SOFEX 2006,”
DefenseWorld.net
, captured November 2, 2006.
“Record Number of Participants to Visit SOFEX 2006,”
DefenseWorld.net
, captured November 2, 2006.
14
Official biography, “His Majesty King Abdullah II,” Jordanian Embassy to the United States,
www.jordanembassyus.org/new/jib/monarchy/hmka.shtml
, captured December 2, 2006.
Official biography, “His Majesty King Abdullah II,” Jordanian Embassy to the United States,
www.jordanembassyus.org/new/jib/monarchy/hmka.shtml
, captured December 2, 2006.
15
Riad Kahwaji, “Jordan Forming Spec Ops Air Unit; Contracted U.S. Aviators Will Conduct Training,”
Armed Forces Journal,
February 1, 2005.
Riad Kahwaji, “Jordan Forming Spec Ops Air Unit; Contracted U.S. Aviators Will Conduct Training,”
Armed Forces Journal,
February 1, 2005.
16
Ibid
Ibid
17
Ibid.
Ibid.
18
Author copy of Erik Prince’s speech at West 2006.
Author copy of Erik Prince’s speech at West 2006.
19
Riad Kahwaji, “Jordan Leads Region in Spec Ops Capabilities,”
Defense News,
March 20, 2006.
Riad Kahwaji, “Jordan Leads Region in Spec Ops Capabilities,”
Defense News,
March 20, 2006.
20
“Exclusive Interview: Partner for Peace. His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,”
www.special-operations-technology.com/print_article.cfm?DocID=1361
, undated.
“Exclusive Interview: Partner for Peace. His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,”
www.special-operations-technology.com/print_article.cfm?DocID=1361
, undated.
21
Jonathan Franklin, “The SWAT Olympics: North America’s Toughest, Most Heavily Armed Cops Go Head-to-Head in Live Ammo Games to See Who’s the Ultimate Badass. What’s Not to Love?”
Maxim,
September 2004.
Jonathan Franklin, “The SWAT Olympics: North America’s Toughest, Most Heavily Armed Cops Go Head-to-Head in Live Ammo Games to See Who’s the Ultimate Badass. What’s Not to Love?”
Maxim,
September 2004.
22
Blackwater USA press release, “Blackwater USA Parachute Team Launched,” March 21, 2006.
Blackwater USA press release, “Blackwater USA Parachute Team Launched,” March 21, 2006.
23
Kelly Kennedy, “Private Firm Pitches Army-for-Hire Plan,”
Air Force Times,
April 10, 2006.
Kelly Kennedy, “Private Firm Pitches Army-for-Hire Plan,”
Air Force Times,
April 10, 2006.
24
Ibid.
Ibid.
25
Ibid.
Ibid.
26
Transcript, “Private Military Firm Pitches Its Services in Darfur,” National Public Radio,
All Things Considered,
May 26, 2006.
Transcript, “Private Military Firm Pitches Its Services in Darfur,” National Public Radio,
All Things Considered,
May 26, 2006.
27
Ibid.
Ibid.
28
E-mail to author, December 2006.
E-mail to author, December 2006.
29
Transcript, Chris Taylor, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Blackwater USA, speaking at George Washington University Law School, January 28, 2005.
Transcript, Chris Taylor, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Blackwater USA, speaking at George Washington University Law School, January 28, 2005.
30
E-mail to author, December 2006.
E-mail to author, December 2006.
31
Peter S. Goodman, “China Invests Heavily in Sudan’s Oil Industry; Beijing Supplies Arms Used on Villagers,”
Washington Post,
December 23, 2004.
Peter S. Goodman, “China Invests Heavily in Sudan’s Oil Industry; Beijing Supplies Arms Used on Villagers,”
Washington Post,
December 23, 2004.
32
Ibid.
Ibid.
33
C.I.A. World Factbook, https://
cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2178rank.html
, captured December 6, 2006.
C.I.A. World Factbook, https://
cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2178rank.html
, captured December 6, 2006.
34
Peter S. Goodman, “China Invests Heavily In Sudan’s Oil Industry; Beijing Supplies Arms Used on Villagers,”
Washington Post,
December 23, 2004.
Peter S. Goodman, “China Invests Heavily In Sudan’s Oil Industry; Beijing Supplies Arms Used on Villagers,”
Washington Post,
December 23, 2004.
35
Sara Flounders, “The U.S. Role in Darfur, Sudan: Oil Reserves Rivaling Those of Saudi Arabia?” The Centre for Research on Globalization, June 6, 2006.
Sara Flounders, “The U.S. Role in Darfur, Sudan: Oil Reserves Rivaling Those of Saudi Arabia?” The Centre for Research on Globalization, June 6, 2006.
36
Mark Hemingway, “Warriors for Hire: Blackwater USA and the Rise of Private Military Contractors,”
The Weekly Standard,
December 18, 2006.
Mark Hemingway, “Warriors for Hire: Blackwater USA and the Rise of Private Military Contractors,”
The Weekly Standard,
December 18, 2006.
37
Nathan Hodge, “Blackwater CEO Touts Private Peacekeeping Model,”
Defense Daily,
February 23, 2005.
Nathan Hodge, “Blackwater CEO Touts Private Peacekeeping Model,”
Defense Daily,
February 23, 2005.
38
Ibid.
Ibid.
39
Christian Freedom International “About Us,”
www.christianfreedom.org/about_cfi/Statement%20of%20Faith.html
, accessed on November 26, 2006.
Christian Freedom International “About Us,”
www.christianfreedom.org/about_cfi/Statement%20of%20Faith.html
, accessed on November 26, 2006.
40
Jim Jacobson, “Slave Redemption Money Rewards the Slaver,”
Washington Times,
May 30, 1999.
Jim Jacobson, “Slave Redemption Money Rewards the Slaver,”
Washington Times,
May 30, 1999.
41
Ibid.
Ibid.
42
“The Danger Zone” radio program, produced by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, October 8, 2006.
“The Danger Zone” radio program, produced by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, October 8, 2006.
43
Transcript, “Private Military Firm Pitches Its Services in Darfur,” National Public Radio,
All Things Considered,
May 26, 2006.
Transcript, “Private Military Firm Pitches Its Services in Darfur,” National Public Radio,
All Things Considered,
May 26, 2006.
44
Willis Witter, “Private Firms Eye Darfur,”
Washington Times,
October 2, 2006.
Willis Witter, “Private Firms Eye Darfur,”
Washington Times,
October 2, 2006.
45
Author copy of Erik Prince’s speech at West 2006.
Author copy of Erik Prince’s speech at West 2006.
46
E-mail to author, December 2006.
E-mail to author, December 2006.
47
Mark Hemingway, “Warriors for Hire: Blackwater USA and the Rise of Private Military Contractors,”
The Weekly Standard,
December 18, 2006.
Mark Hemingway, “Warriors for Hire: Blackwater USA and the Rise of Private Military Contractors,”
The Weekly Standard,
December 18, 2006.
48
Ibid.
Ibid.
49
Max Boot, “Darfur Solution: Send in the Mercenaries,”
Los Angeles Times,
May 31, 2006.
Max Boot, “Darfur Solution: Send in the Mercenaries,”
Los Angeles Times,
May 31, 2006.
50
Ibid.
Ibid.
51
Max Boot, “A Mercenary Force for Darfur,”
Wall Street Journal,
October 25, 2006.
Max Boot, “A Mercenary Force for Darfur,”
Wall Street Journal,
October 25, 2006.
52
Ted Koppel, “These Guns for Hire,”
New York Times,
May 22, 2006.
Ted Koppel, “These Guns for Hire,”
New York Times,
May 22, 2006.
53
See:
Democracy Now!
“Drilling and Killing: Chevron and Nigeria’s Oil Dictatorship,” September 30, 1998.
See:
Democracy Now!
“Drilling and Killing: Chevron and Nigeria’s Oil Dictatorship,” September 30, 1998.
54
Unless otherwise noted, comments from Representative Schakowsky are drawn from an interview in June 2006.
Unless otherwise noted, comments from Representative Schakowsky are drawn from an interview in June 2006.
55
Kelly Kennedy, “Private Firm Pitches Army-for-Hire Plan,”
Air Force Times,
April 10, 2006.
Kelly Kennedy, “Private Firm Pitches Army-for-Hire Plan,”
Air Force Times,
April 10, 2006.
56
Joanne Kimberlin, “Blackwater Eyes Creation of Private ‘Brigade Force,’”
Virginian-Pilot,
July 28, 2006.
Joanne Kimberlin, “Blackwater Eyes Creation of Private ‘Brigade Force,’”
Virginian-Pilot,
July 28, 2006.
57
Transcript, “Hearing of the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee,” June 13, 2006.
Transcript, “Hearing of the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee,” June 13, 2006.
58
IPOA Member List,
http://ipoaonline.org/php/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=30
, accessed December 7, 2006.
IPOA Member List,
http://ipoaonline.org/php/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=30
, accessed December 7, 2006.
59
J. J. Messner, letter to the editor, “Don’t Call Us Mercenaries!,”
The Nation,
July 10, 2006.
J. J. Messner, letter to the editor, “Don’t Call Us Mercenaries!,”
The Nation,
July 10, 2006.
60
James Rosen, “Contractors Operate in a Legal Gray Area; The Roles of an Interrogator and an Interpreter in the Abuse Scandal Are Murky. Even Less Clear Is Whom They Answer to,”
Star Tribune,
May 23, 2004.
James Rosen, “Contractors Operate in a Legal Gray Area; The Roles of an Interrogator and an Interpreter in the Abuse Scandal Are Murky. Even Less Clear Is Whom They Answer to,”
Star Tribune,
May 23, 2004.
61
Rebecca Ulam Weiner, “Peace Corp.; As the International Community Dithers Over Darfur, Private Military Companies Say They’ve Got What It Takes to Stop the Carnage; If Only Someone Would Hire Them,”
Boston Globe,
April 23, 2006.
Rebecca Ulam Weiner, “Peace Corp.; As the International Community Dithers Over Darfur, Private Military Companies Say They’ve Got What It Takes to Stop the Carnage; If Only Someone Would Hire Them,”
Boston Globe,
April 23, 2006.
62
IPOA History,
http://ipoaonline.org/php/index.php?option=com_content&
task=view&id =13&Itemid=30, captured December 7, 2006.
IPOA History,
http://ipoaonline.org/php/index.php?option=com_content&
task=view&id =13&Itemid=30, captured December 7, 2006.
63
Transcript, “Hearing of the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee,” June 13, 2006.
Transcript, “Hearing of the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee,” June 13, 2006.
64
Transcript, Chris Taylor, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Blackwater USA, speaking at George Washington University Law School, January 28, 2005.
Transcript, Chris Taylor, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Blackwater USA, speaking at George Washington University Law School, January 28, 2005.
65
IPOA Code of Conduct, Version 10,
http://ipoaonline.org/php/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=62
, accessed December 7, 2006.
IPOA Code of Conduct, Version 10,
http://ipoaonline.org/php/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=62
, accessed December 7, 2006.
66
Ibid.
Ibid.
67
Transcript, “Hearing of the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee,” June 13, 2006.
Transcript, “Hearing of the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee,” June 13, 2006.
68
IPOA Mission Statement,
http://ipoaonline.org/php/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=31
, accessed December 7, 2006.
IPOA Mission Statement,
http://ipoaonline.org/php/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=31
, accessed December 7, 2006.
69
Transcript, “Hearing of the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee,” June 13, 2006.
Transcript, “Hearing of the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee,” June 13, 2006.
70
P. W. Singer,
Corporate Warriors
, p. 114.
P. W. Singer,
Corporate Warriors
, p. 114.
71
Ibid., pp. 116-117.
Ibid., pp. 116-117.
72
Republic of South Africa Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill, October 2005.
Republic of South Africa Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill, October 2005.
73
BBC News, “Q&A: Equatorial Guinea ‘Coup Plot,’”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3597450.stm
, January 13, 2005.
BBC News, “Q&A: Equatorial Guinea ‘Coup Plot,’”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3597450.stm
, January 13, 2005.
74
BBC News, “Q&A: Equatorial Guinea ‘Coup Plot,’”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3597450.stm
, January 13, 2005; BBC News, “Profile: Simon Mann,” September 10, 2004.
BBC News, “Q&A: Equatorial Guinea ‘Coup Plot,’”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3597450.stm
, January 13, 2005; BBC News, “Profile: Simon Mann,” September 10, 2004.
75
Republic of South Africa Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill, October 2005.
Republic of South Africa Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill, October 2005.
76
“South Africa Passes Controversial Mercenaries Bill,” Reuters, August 29, 2006.
“South Africa Passes Controversial Mercenaries Bill,” Reuters, August 29, 2006.
77
John Reed, “S. African Ban on Mercenaries Could Hit Conflict Zone Workers,”
Financial Times,
August 30, 2006.
John Reed, “S. African Ban on Mercenaries Could Hit Conflict Zone Workers,”
Financial Times,
August 30, 2006.
78
Republic of South Africa Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill, October 2005.
Republic of South Africa Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill, October 2005.
79
John Reed, “S. African Ban on Mercenaries Could Hit Conflict Zone Workers,”
Financial Times,
August 30, 2006.
John Reed, “S. African Ban on Mercenaries Could Hit Conflict Zone Workers,”
Financial Times,
August 30, 2006.
80
Doug Brooks, “New Legislation Will Undermine South Africa’s Security Staff Abroad,”
Cape Times,
October 5, 2005.
Doug Brooks, “New Legislation Will Undermine South Africa’s Security Staff Abroad,”
Cape Times,
October 5, 2005.
81
“Defence Portfolio Committee Hears: Role of South Africans ‘Critical for World Peace,’”
Mercury
(South Africa), May 24, 2006.
“Defence Portfolio Committee Hears: Role of South Africans ‘Critical for World Peace,’”
Mercury
(South Africa), May 24, 2006.
82
Clare Nullis, “South Africa Assembly OKs Mercenary Bill,” Associated Press, August 29, 2006.
Clare Nullis, “South Africa Assembly OKs Mercenary Bill,” Associated Press, August 29, 2006.
83
Rebecca Ulam Weiner, “Peace Corp.; As the International Community Dithers Over Darfur, Private Military Companies Say They’ve Got What It Takes to Stop the Carnage; If Only Someone Would Hire Them,”
Boston Globe,
April 23, 2006.
Rebecca Ulam Weiner, “Peace Corp.; As the International Community Dithers Over Darfur, Private Military Companies Say They’ve Got What It Takes to Stop the Carnage; If Only Someone Would Hire Them,”
Boston Globe,
April 23, 2006.
84
Clare Nullis, “South Africa Assembly OKs Mercenary Bill,” Associated Press, August 29, 2006.
Clare Nullis, “South Africa Assembly OKs Mercenary Bill,” Associated Press, August 29, 2006.
85
Ibid.
Ibid.
86
Mark Hemingway, “Warriors for Hire: Blackwater USA and the Rise of Private Military Contractors,”
The Weekly Standard,
December 18, 2006.
Mark Hemingway, “Warriors for Hire: Blackwater USA and the Rise of Private Military Contractors,”
The Weekly Standard,
December 18, 2006.
87
Joanne Kimberlin, “Blackwater Eyes Creation of Private ‘Brigade Force,’”
Virginian-Pilot,
July 28, 2006.
Joanne Kimberlin, “Blackwater Eyes Creation of Private ‘Brigade Force,’”
Virginian-Pilot,
July 28, 2006.
88
Author copy, Central Contractor registration documents for Greystone Limited.
Author copy, Central Contractor registration documents for Greystone Limited.
Other books
The Last Days of a Rake by Donna Lea Simpson
Master of Her Heart (Sons of Amber Book 2) by Bianca D'Arc
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith
A Christmas Scandal by Jane Goodger
manicpixiedreamgirl by Tom Leveen
Bearing Her Wishes by Vivienne Savage
Queen of Babble in the Big City by Meg Cabot
Tower: A Novel by Bruen, Ken, Coleman, Reed Farrel
The Hangman's Song (Inspector Mclean 3) by Oswald, James
Saving Avery by Angela Snyder