I was reading through the Washington Post (Thursday, October 25, 2007) after a DS agent notified me about the firing/resignation of the State Department's security chief, Richard J. Griffin.
It would appear that the Secretary of State, Condoleza Rice, is finally getting a handle on all of the controversy surrounding Blackwater and security contractors who seem to have set their own "Rules of Engagement". The article goes on to speak about senior agents within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security having "growing concerns" about the lack of supervision of private contractors.
Prior to Secretary Rice doubling the number of special agents supervising the security contractors in Iraq, only 36 agents were assigned to oversee the thousand(s) contractors. Estimated reports mention 1000 contractors as being employed by the three main companies, however, it is widely accpeted that there are 20,000 or more security personnel operating in Iraq, so the exact numbers seem to be somewhat hazy.
This appears to be a step in the right direction but it is not likely to satisfy the Iraqi Government or citizenry who have been calling out for the prosecution of those responsible for the killing of innocent passers-by.
There is no doubt that the contracted security personnel operating in Iraq have a tough job. I do not agree with those who take shots at them because they are so highly paid. They are highly paid because of the high risk involved. Many of them have already given their lives in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. They are not all "out of control". If they were, we would have reports of innocent citizens being shot on a daily basis. However, this is not to say that they are following proper procedures and best practices all the time either.
I fully agree with more strict supervision. Companies like Blackwater have to realize that they are not a law unto themselves, even if they have been allowed to take the law into their own hands. They should be subject to investigation and disciplinary action just as the military are. Whenever you give anyone a free reign in a situation like this, you are opening the door to possible abuse. As a former Special Investigator for the United Nations, I saw much abuse and improprieties carried out by personnel in hostile areas.
They may not be perfect, but the U.N. at least made sure to have a team of international investigators in the area of operations to investigate allegations and suspected crimes. Eventhough there was rarely any kind of criminal prosecution, indepth investigions were conducted and once the reports were received and reviewed back in New York, those found to be engaged in prohibited/illegal activities were immediately repatriated back to their home country.
When individuals feel like they can do whatever they want and not have to answer for their actions, of course there will be those who will overstep the line and their authority. When you have thousands in that category, eventually you run the risk of that behavior becoming epidemic.
Let us hope that they can address this situation at this time and not merely try to appease the locals. It may be too late for us to "win their hearts and minds" but at least let us be seen as a caring society who believes in doing the right thing and not one who allows their might to trample those who get in their way.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
State Department re-shuffle may be a good sign for the future
Monday, October 22, 2007
Could terrorists use IEDs in America?
Improvised Explosive Devices(otherwise known as; IEDs)have been responsible for the killing and wounding of more than 21,200 Americans in Iraq. Is it possible that we could see them being used in the U.S?
According to a recent Washington Post article (The Washington Post, Saturday, October 20, 2007)by staff writers Spencer S. Hsu and Mary Beth Sheridan, both the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI believe that the homemade explosive devices pose a "rising threat" to the United States. The fact that the terrorists keep honing their skills and their bombs continue to mutate and to cause even more devastation and destruction is a cause for even greater concern.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies seems to be clear as to the inherent danger. The Center's director, Mr. David Heyman was quoted as saying: "If terrorists initiated an IED campaign in America today, it could paralyze us".
There can be no doubt that those who would be capable of manufacturing such devices have already been living here and some may be living amongst us at the present time. Adressing the Center's fears, Homeland Security Secretary, Mr. Michael Chertoff mentioned that the suicide bomber who died in a car bombing in Iraq in 2005, Raed al-Banna, was flagged as a terrorist by customs inspectors at O'Hare airport in 2003 and ordered out of the U.S.
One has only to look at the events in Madrid, London and Glasgow to understand the comment made by the FBI Director,Mr. Robert Mueller, that these bombs and attempted bombings is a "trend that has already begun".
Monday, October 15, 2007
FBI will test the immunity waters.
With The FBI now in Iraq conducting an investigation into the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians by Blackwater employees, contractors might very well loose the immunity from prosecution that they heretofore enjoyed. It is hard to imagine them being able to hold on to it if the federal investigator's finding show that Blackwater were not under any threat and were not being fired upon.
It will be a difficult task to be sure, investigating these killings. Not only has Blackwater employees brought the wrath of the Iraqi civilian population down upon themselves, but now the FBI agents will have to go amongst that population interviewing the survivors and witnesses and will no doubt face credibility problems themselves. Afterall, Iraqi citizens who witnessed their government calling for the expulsion of Blackwater, saw first hand their being allowed to continue operating "business as usual".
Unfortunately, Mr. Erik Prince, Blackwater's founder will not give much comfort to the surviving family members back in Baghdad. In his recent testimony before Congress,Mr. Prince stated; "We acted appropriately". One would think that a little empathy would have gone a long way under the circumstances. Would it not have been better for him to have stated that they would do everything in their power to investigate the circumstances of the shooting and to pledge his support to the grieving families?
Had Mr. Prince showed a little compassion and desire to get to the bottom of the shooting, then he might have won more support here at home from Congress and back in Baghdad. As it is, Blackwater are now having to relieve the fatal shooting of an Iraqi bodyguard at a post inside the Green Zone. For those of you who are not aware, the "Green Zone" is a relatively safe haven area inside Baghdad that is heavily protected against subversive penetration.
Last Christmas, a Blackwater contractor was allegedly drunk when he drove past a friendly checkpoint inside the Green Zone. In his apparent drunkeness he is believed to have shot the Iraqi Minsiter's bodyguard three times in the chest before fleeing to a camp run by another U.S. contractor; "Triple Canopy". The bodyguard died in an American field hospital the following day.
It is believed that the State Department recommended that Blackwater pay $1,000,000.00 in compensation to the family of the slain bodyguard. Instead, Mr. Prince has confirmed that the family were given $20,000. The killer was fired and sent back to the U.S. two days later.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Murky waters for Blackwater
In what seems to have become a never ending litany of abuse and wrong doings, Blackwater, the North Carolina security contracting company, is being investigated for the illegal smuggling of high velocity weapons into Iraq. As a security company charged with the personal protection of U.S. diplomats and as the premiere choice by the State Department, there is no doubt that Blackwater had a viable need for bringing weapons into Iraq. Unfortunately, it is now believed that these weapons have found their way into the hands of the very terrorists who are killing U.S. military personnel and civilians alike.
A NewsObserver article written by staff writer Joseph Neff highlights the fact that two Blackwater employees have already pleaded guilty in connection with a U.S. weapons smuggling investigation into Blackwater. Of course there will always be opportunists willing to break the law for their own personal gain, but one wonders if this is an isolated case or is it far more prevalent? The article also mentions how both Congress and the Iraqi Government believe that Blackwater act with impunity.
This feeling of "above the law and beyond approach" appears to be the common denominator in every one of the breaking stories. The recent killing of 11 civilians by Blackwater guards threatened to have the company kicked out of Iraq. However, the U.S. government has grown so dependent upon Blackwater's "private army" that a deal was struck by Condoleza Rice allowing them to stay. How many more times must Ms. Rice come to the rescue before the decision is made to "back a different horse"? Maybe it is time to give another company a chance to show that they can protect our people without trampling all over the others who are just trying to get through this mess alive.
The State department should not be worried about hurting Blackwater's feelings. Afterall, they have really made a killing in Iraq.
