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Contractor Expert: State Dep't Also Culpable in Blackwater Incident
Few people not employed by Blackwater know more about the rising world of private military companies than Robert Young Pelton, author of Licensed To Kill, an exploration of military contracting in the war on terrorism. Pelton told me it's a mistake to point a finger at Blackwater for Sunday's debacle in Mansour without looking at the role of the State Department -- which, after all, pays Blackwater to protect its diplomats. State doesn't want to take chances with its peoples' lives in the chaos of Iraq.
Blackwater's rules of engagement "are set by State and are different than other security contractors who use the Military Rules of Engagement and Rules of Force," Pelton says via e-mail. "State went from a kinder, gentler Rules of Force (they were told to shoot flares, throw water bottles or wave a flag to warn off motorists) to shoot if a threat is imminent with no warning shots required. They are supposed to use aimed shots and have to file a report if there is any discharge of a weapon." The State Department has said that Blackwater fired warning shots in Sunday's Mansour attack at an approaching car.
As quoted by the New York Times, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said that security companies in the department's employ will, when under attack, "respond with graduated use of force, proportionate to the kind of fire and attack that they’re coming under." The rules of engagement for contractors in Iraq are much less restrictive than those for the U.S. military. An ex-Legionnaire named Anthony Hunter-Choat, who used to supervise security for the Pentagon's contracting office in Baghdad, created the first rules of engagement for Iraq security contractors. According to Pelton, Hunter-Choat said in 2003, "if they shoot, shoot back."
That's a standard that, so far, hasn't been met with objections from the State Department. "Its important to note that [State Department] or Embassy security details work in close conjunction with the State Department security staff (Diplomatic Security Services) and the U.S. military, so it's incorrect to portray Blackwater as a lone actor in all of this," Pelton says.
Comments (9)
TheraP wrote on September 19, 2007 10:57 AM:Basically "preemptive strike." Where have I heard that before?
Someone needs to do a study of all the awful laws passed during Bremer's rule. It might be as enlightening as Charlie Savage's work on signing statements.
Alex wrote on September 19, 2007 11:19 AM:I've read that Bremer opposed the use of Blackwater for his own security, and was over-ridden by the White House. Does anyone know if there's a real source for this information?
Blackwater is a heavy GOP contributor, naturally.
Robin H wrote on September 19, 2007 11:51 AM:Excellent reporting, Mr. Ackerman. But PLEASE refrain from calling it the "war on terrorism," which it is NOT. The phrase -- like the the terms Death Tax and Clear Skies Initiative -- is an exercise in right-wing "framing," and is unworthy of a reality-based journalist.
Chris wrote on September 19, 2007 12:03 PM:Blackwater is a farce. It's everything America is *not* supposed to be. And the amazing thing is that these freaking losers are the people representing the United States in Iraq. How sad.
JimBob wrote on September 19, 2007 12:04 PM:Yes, Robin H! Took the words out of my mouth. We all need to oppose "framing" language at every opportunity.
Larry A wrote on September 19, 2007 12:23 PM:This is a direct quote from the "About Us" page on Blackwater USA's website:
We are not simply a "private security company." We are a professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations firm who provides turnkey solutions.
It doesn't take too much imagination to project the future of the USA if we continue to feed the growth of private armies and law enforecment entities. I have an idea about what kind of stability they would like to see here at home.
The Buffalo In Da' Midst wrote on September 19, 2007 1:12 PM:Welcome to the New World Police State:
The Buffalo In Da' Midst wrote on September 19, 2007 1:20 PM:[September 19 2007] Travus T. Hipp Morning News & Commentary: Blackwater Is An Emanation Of Fascism, At Least As Currently Performed By The PNAC-Cons & The Military Industrial Complex… They Are The ‘Best Army Money Can Buy’
The link to the Travus T. Hipp Morning News & Commentary: http://leighm.net/wp/2007/09/19/tth_070919/
nikto wrote on September 19, 2007 2:31 PM:Blackwater is clearly Satanic to any true,
sincere Christian.
That one's a slam-dunk.
What?
Blackwater is owned & run by "Christians"?
Yes--Christians of the "non-christian"-type, who obviously serve a far darker power.
Black Waters hide Evil.