Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army (73 page)
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Authors: Jeremy Scahill
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101
Joseph Neff, “U.S. Probes Blackwater Weapons Shipments,”
Raleigh News and Observer,
September 22, 2007.
Joseph Neff, “U.S. Probes Blackwater Weapons Shipments,”
Raleigh News and Observer,
September 22, 2007.
102
Author copy, letter from the State Department to Blackwater, September 20, 2007.
Author copy, letter from the State Department to Blackwater, September 20, 2007.
103
Author copy, letter from Representative Henry Waxman to Condoleezza Rice, September 25, 2007.
Author copy, letter from Representative Henry Waxman to Condoleezza Rice, September 25, 2007.
104
Author copy, letter from the State Department to Blackwater USA, September 25, 2007.
Author copy, letter from the State Department to Blackwater USA, September 25, 2007.
105
Author interview, March 2007.
Author interview, March 2007.
106
John Negroponte’s statement before the Senate Appropriations Committee, September 26, 2007.
John Negroponte’s statement before the Senate Appropriations Committee, September 26, 2007.
107
Jomana Karadsheh and Alan Duke, “Blackwater Incident Witness: ‘It Was Hell,’”
CNN.com
, October 2, 2007.
Jomana Karadsheh and Alan Duke, “Blackwater Incident Witness: ‘It Was Hell,’”
CNN.com
, October 2, 2007.
108
“‘They Protect People’s Lives’—One Month After Baghdad Killings, Bush Defends Blackwater USA,”
Democracy Now!,
October 18, 2007.
“‘They Protect People’s Lives’—One Month After Baghdad Killings, Bush Defends Blackwater USA,”
Democracy Now!,
October 18, 2007.
109
Unless otherwise noted, the description and quotes relating to Erik Prince’s Congressional testimony on October 2, 2007, are drawn from the author’s firsthand observations or the official transcript of the proceedings provided by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Unless otherwise noted, the description and quotes relating to Erik Prince’s Congressional testimony on October 2, 2007, are drawn from the author’s firsthand observations or the official transcript of the proceedings provided by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
110
“Edwards Points to a Link,”
Washington Post,
October 6, 2007.
“Edwards Points to a Link,”
Washington Post,
October 6, 2007.
111
Charles R. Black, Jr. biography, BKSH & Associates.
Charles R. Black, Jr. biography, BKSH & Associates.
112
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
113
Steve Fainaru, “Guards in Iraq Cite Frequent Shootings,”
Washington Post,
October 3, 2007.
Steve Fainaru, “Guards in Iraq Cite Frequent Shootings,”
Washington Post,
October 3, 2007.
114
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
115
Ibid.
Ibid.
116
Ibid.
Ibid.
117
Transcript,
Bill Moyers Journal
, February 1, 2008.
Transcript,
Bill Moyers Journal
, February 1, 2008.
118
Dena Bunis, “Rohrabacher Stands Behind Blackwater Chief,”
Orange County Register,
October 9, 2007.
Dena Bunis, “Rohrabacher Stands Behind Blackwater Chief,”
Orange County Register,
October 9, 2007.
119
Author copy.
Author copy.
121
David M. Herszenhorn, “House’s Iraq Bill Applies U.S. Laws to Contractors,”
New York Times,
October 5, 2007.
David M. Herszenhorn, “House’s Iraq Bill Applies U.S. Laws to Contractors,”
New York Times,
October 5, 2007.
122
James Gordon Meek, “Blackwater to Guard FBI Team Probing It,”
New York Daily News,
October 3, 2007.
James Gordon Meek, “Blackwater to Guard FBI Team Probing It,”
New York Daily News,
October 3, 2007.
123
Karen DeYoung, “Federal Guards to Protect Agents in Blackwater Investigation,”
Washington Post,
October 4, 2007.
Karen DeYoung, “Federal Guards to Protect Agents in Blackwater Investigation,”
Washington Post,
October 4, 2007.
124
Author interview, September 2007.
Author interview, September 2007.
125
James Risen and David Johnston, “Justice Department Briefed Congress on Legal Obstacles in Blackwater Case,”
New York Times,
January 16, 2008.
James Risen and David Johnston, “Justice Department Briefed Congress on Legal Obstacles in Blackwater Case,”
New York Times,
January 16, 2008.
126
Jonathan Karl and Kirit Radia, “ABC News Obtains Text of Blackwater Immunity Deal,”
ABCNews.go.com
, October 30, 2007.
Jonathan Karl and Kirit Radia, “ABC News Obtains Text of Blackwater Immunity Deal,”
ABCNews.go.com
, October 30, 2007.
127
Author interview, October 2007.
Author interview, October 2007.
128
Author interview, October 2007.
Author interview, October 2007.
129
Ned Parker, “‘Wall of Silence’ Protects Security Contractor in Iraq,”
Los Angeles Times,
September 21, 2007.
Ned Parker, “‘Wall of Silence’ Protects Security Contractor in Iraq,”
Los Angeles Times,
September 21, 2007.
130
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
131
Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, October 2, 2007.
Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, October 2, 2007.
132
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
133
Ibid.
Ibid.
134
Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, October 2, 2007.
Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, October 2, 2007.
135
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
136
Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, October 2, 2007.
Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, October 2, 2007.
137
Steve Fainaru, “How Blackwater Sniper Fire Felled 3 Iraqi Guards,”
Washington Post,
November 8, 2007.
Steve Fainaru, “How Blackwater Sniper Fire Felled 3 Iraqi Guards,”
Washington Post,
November 8, 2007.
138
Jennifer Daskal, “Blackwater in Baghdad,”
Salon,
December 14, 2007.
Jennifer Daskal, “Blackwater in Baghdad,”
Salon,
December 14, 2007.
139
Ibid.
Ibid.
140
Jomana Karadsheh and Alan Duke, “Blackwater Incident Witness: ‘It Was Hell,’”
CNN.com
, October 2, 2007.
Jomana Karadsheh and Alan Duke, “Blackwater Incident Witness: ‘It Was Hell,’”
CNN.com
, October 2, 2007.
141
Sudarsan Raghavan, “U.S. Offers Cash to Victims in Blackwater Incident,”
Washington Post,
October 25, 2007.
Sudarsan Raghavan, “U.S. Offers Cash to Victims in Blackwater Incident,”
Washington Post,
October 25, 2007.
142
Ibid; Jennifer Daskal, “Blackwater in Baghdad,”
Salon,
December 14, 2007.
Ibid; Jennifer Daskal, “Blackwater in Baghdad,”
Salon,
December 14, 2007.
143
Sudarsan Raghavan, “U.S. Offers Cash to Victims in Blackwater Incident,”
Washington Post,
October 25, 2007.
Sudarsan Raghavan, “U.S. Offers Cash to Victims in Blackwater Incident,”
Washington Post,
October 25, 2007.
144
Karen DeYoung, “Immunity Jeopardizes Iraq Probe,”
Washington Post,
October 30, 2007.
Karen DeYoung, “Immunity Jeopardizes Iraq Probe,”
Washington Post,
October 30, 2007.
145
David Johnston and John M. Broder, “F.B.I. Says Guards Killed 14 Iraqis Without Cause,”
New York Times,
November 14, 2007.
David Johnston and John M. Broder, “F.B.I. Says Guards Killed 14 Iraqis Without Cause,”
New York Times,
November 14, 2007.
146
Lara Jakes Jordan, “FBI Finds Blackwater Trucks Patched,” Associated Press, January 12, 2008.
Lara Jakes Jordan, “FBI Finds Blackwater Trucks Patched,” Associated Press, January 12, 2008.
147
Author copy of the report.
Author copy of the report.
148
Lara Jakes Jordan, “FBI Finds Blackwater Trucks Patched,” Associated Press, January 12, 2008.
Lara Jakes Jordan, “FBI Finds Blackwater Trucks Patched,” Associated Press, January 12, 2008.
149
Ibid.
Ibid.
150
Max Boot, “Accept the Blackwater Mercenaries,”
Los Angeles Times,
October 3, 2007.
Max Boot, “Accept the Blackwater Mercenaries,”
Los Angeles Times,
October 3, 2007.
151
Prepared Statement of Erik D. Prince for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, October 2, 2007.
Prepared Statement of Erik D. Prince for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, October 2, 2007.
152
Sworn statement of “Paul,” September 18, 2007; Ginger Thompson, “From Texas to Iraq, and Center of Blackwater Case,”
New York Times,
January 19, 2008.
Sworn statement of “Paul,” September 18, 2007; Ginger Thompson, “From Texas to Iraq, and Center of Blackwater Case,”
New York Times,
January 19, 2008.
153
Sworn statement of “Paul,” September 18, 2007.
Sworn statement of “Paul,” September 18, 2007.
154
Sudarsan Raghavan and Josh White, “Blackwater Guards Fired at Fleeing Cars, Soldiers Say,”
Washington Post,
October 12, 2007.
Sudarsan Raghavan and Josh White, “Blackwater Guards Fired at Fleeing Cars, Soldiers Say,”
Washington Post,
October 12, 2007.
155
Sworn statement of “Paul,” September 18, 2007.
Sworn statement of “Paul,” September 18, 2007.
156
Prepared Statement of Erik D. Prince for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, October 2, 2007.
Prepared Statement of Erik D. Prince for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, October 2, 2007.
157
Steve Fainaru and Sudarsan Raghavan, “Blackwater Faced Bedlam, Embassy Finds,”
Washington Post,
September 28, 2007.
Steve Fainaru and Sudarsan Raghavan, “Blackwater Faced Bedlam, Embassy Finds,”
Washington Post,
September 28, 2007.
158
Sudarsan Raghavan and Josh White, “Blackwater Guards Fired at Fleeing Cars, Soldiers Say,”
Washington Post,
October 12, 2007.
Sudarsan Raghavan and Josh White, “Blackwater Guards Fired at Fleeing Cars, Soldiers Say,”
Washington Post,
October 12, 2007.
159
Transcript, interview with Erik Prince,
The Charlie Rose Show,
PBS, October 15, 2007.
Transcript, interview with Erik Prince,
The Charlie Rose Show,
PBS, October 15, 2007.
160
David Johnston and John M. Broder, “F.B.I. Says Guards Killed 14 Iraqis Without Cause,”
New York Times,
November 14, 2007.
David Johnston and John M. Broder, “F.B.I. Says Guards Killed 14 Iraqis Without Cause,”
New York Times,
November 14, 2007.
161
Sudarsan Raghavan and Josh White, “Blackwater Guards Fired at Fleeing Cars, Soldiers Say,”
Washington Post,
October 12, 2007.
Sudarsan Raghavan and Josh White, “Blackwater Guards Fired at Fleeing Cars, Soldiers Say,”
Washington Post,
October 12, 2007.
162
Peter Spiegel, “Gates: U.S., Guards Are at Odds in Iraq,”
Los Angeles Times,
October 19, 2007.
Peter Spiegel, “Gates: U.S., Guards Are at Odds in Iraq,”
Los Angeles Times,
October 19, 2007.
163
Karen DeYoung, “Security Firms in Iraq Face New Rules,”
Washington Post,
October 24, 2007.
Karen DeYoung, “Security Firms in Iraq Face New Rules,”
Washington Post,
October 24, 2007.
164
James Risen and David Johnston, “Justice Department Briefed Congress on Legal Obstacles in Blackwater Case,”
New York Times,
January 16, 2008.
James Risen and David Johnston, “Justice Department Briefed Congress on Legal Obstacles in Blackwater Case,”
New York Times,
January 16, 2008.
165
Executive Office of the President, “Statement of Administration Policy,” October 3, 2007.
Executive Office of the President, “Statement of Administration Policy,” October 3, 2007.
166
Author interview, January 2008.
Author interview, January 2008.
167
Press Release from Representative Jan Schakowsky, “Schakowsky Condemns State Department for Offering Blackwater Immunity,” October 30, 2007.
Press Release from Representative Jan Schakowsky, “Schakowsky Condemns State Department for Offering Blackwater Immunity,” October 30, 2007.
168
“Family Members of Slain Iraqis Sue Blackwater USA for Deadly Baghdad Shooting,”
Democracy Now!,
October 11, 2007.
“Family Members of Slain Iraqis Sue Blackwater USA for Deadly Baghdad Shooting,”
Democracy Now!,
October 11, 2007.
169
Author copy of the complaint.
Author copy of the complaint.
170
Author interview, October 2007.
Author interview, October 2007.
171
Transcript,
The Thom Hartmann Show,
Air America, January 29, 2008.
Transcript,
The Thom Hartmann Show,
Air America, January 29, 2008.
172
“Iraqi Shooting Victims’ Families Sue Blackwater,”
Virginian-Pilot,
October 12, 2007.
“Iraqi Shooting Victims’ Families Sue Blackwater,”
Virginian-Pilot,
October 12, 2007.
173
Transcript, interview with Erik Prince,
Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer,
CNN, October 14, 2007.
Transcript, interview with Erik Prince,
Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer,
CNN, October 14, 2007.
174
J. Michael Waller, “Lawyers for Terror,”
New York Post,
October 17, 2007.
J. Michael Waller, “Lawyers for Terror,”
New York Post,
October 17, 2007.
175
Author interview, January 2008.
Author interview, January 2008.
176
Author copy of the complaint.
Author copy of the complaint.
177
“Blackwater Sued Again for Sept. 9th Attack, Five Iraqis Dead, Ten Wounded,”
Democracy Now!,
December 19, 2007.
“Blackwater Sued Again for Sept. 9th Attack, Five Iraqis Dead, Ten Wounded,”
Democracy Now!,
December 19, 2007.
178
Eric Schmitt and Paul von Zielbauer, “Accord Tightens Control of Security Contractors in Iraq,”
New York Times,
December 5, 2007.
Eric Schmitt and Paul von Zielbauer, “Accord Tightens Control of Security Contractors in Iraq,”
New York Times,
December 5, 2007.
179
R.J. Hillhouse, “Blackwater Expanding State Department Contract,” TheSpyWhoBilledMe. com, December 4, 2007.
R.J. Hillhouse, “Blackwater Expanding State Department Contract,” TheSpyWhoBilledMe. com, December 4, 2007.
180
Jeremy Scahill, “Blackwater’s Business,”
The Nation,
December 24, 2007.
Jeremy Scahill, “Blackwater’s Business,”
The Nation,
December 24, 2007.
181
Ibid.
Ibid.
182
Ibid.
Ibid.
183
August Cole, “Blackwater Vies for Jobs Beyond Guard Duty,”
Wall Street Journal,
October 15, 2007.
August Cole, “Blackwater Vies for Jobs Beyond Guard Duty,”
Wall Street Journal,
October 15, 2007.
184
Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, October 2, 2007.
Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, October 2, 2007.
185
August Cole, “Blackwater Vies for Jobs Beyond Guard Duty,”
Wall Street Journal,
October 15, 2007.
August Cole, “Blackwater Vies for Jobs Beyond Guard Duty,”
Wall Street Journal,
October 15, 2007.
186
Ibid.
Ibid.
187
Jeremy Scahill, “Blackwater’s Business,”
The Nation,
December 24, 2007.
Jeremy Scahill, “Blackwater’s Business,”
The Nation,
December 24, 2007.
188
Senate Lobbying Records. 189. Author interview, February 2008.
Senate Lobbying Records. 189. Author interview, February 2008.
190
Donald Bartlett and James Steele, “Washington’s $8 Billion Shadow,”
Vanity Fair,
March 2007.
Donald Bartlett and James Steele, “Washington’s $8 Billion Shadow,”
Vanity Fair,
March 2007.
191
Naomi Klein, “Outsourcing Government,”
Los Angeles Times,
October 20, 2007.
Naomi Klein, “Outsourcing Government,”
Los Angeles Times,
October 20, 2007.
192
Author interview, July 2007.
Author interview, July 2007.
193
Jeremy Scahill, “
All
Cowboys Out Now,”
The Nation,
November 26, 2007.
Jeremy Scahill, “
All
Cowboys Out Now,”
The Nation,
November 26, 2007.
194
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
195
Jennifer Parker, “Iraq Disputes Blackwater’s Account of Baghdad Killings,” ABC News, September 19, 2007.
Jennifer Parker, “Iraq Disputes Blackwater’s Account of Baghdad Killings,” ABC News, September 19, 2007.
196
T. Christian Miller, “Private Contractors Outnumber US Troops in Iraq,”
Los Angeles Times,
July 4, 2007.
T. Christian Miller, “Private Contractors Outnumber US Troops in Iraq,”
Los Angeles Times,
July 4, 2007.
197
Ibid. and Jeremy Scahill, “A Very Private War,”
The Guardian
, August 1, 2007.
Ibid. and Jeremy Scahill, “A Very Private War,”
The Guardian
, August 1, 2007.
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