I would like to express gratitude and admiration to my dear friend Kathy Kelly, who introduced me to the beautiful people of Iraq in 1998 and traveled that country with me many times thereafter. She is indeed a voice in the wilderness. Also, thanks to Cathy Breen and Abdul Sattar Jihad Jabbar for their friendship in times of struggle in Iraq over many years. Special thanks to Jacquie Soohen, Rick Rowley (and Big Noise Films), and Norm Stockwell for making the impossible happen and breaking down that technological and political firewall. Thanks also to Hans von Sponeck and Denis Halliday, whose courage in simply saying no has been a profound inspiration. Deep gratitude also to those Iraqis whom I cannot name for their own safety who have helped me on occasions too numerous to recount here. Finally, I wish to remember those journalists killed while serving as the eyes and ears of the world. May we have the courage to pick up their cameras, notebooks, and microphones and carry on the struggle and the work.
NOTES
INTRODUCTION 1 Steven R. Hurst and Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Pieces Emerge in Blackwater Shooting,” Associated Press, October 8, 2007.
2 Sudarsan Raghavan, “Tracing the Paths of 5 Who Died in a Storm of Gunfire,” Washington Post, October 4, 2007.
3 Jennifer Daskal, “Blackwater in Baghdad: ‘It Was a Horror Movie,’” Salon, December 14, 2007.
4 Videotaped interview with Ali Khalaf Salman.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.; Jennifer Daskal, “Blackwater in Baghdad,” Salon, December 14, 2007.
7 James Glanz and Alissa J. Rubin, “From Errand to Fatal Shot to Hail of Fire to 17 Deaths,” New York Times, October 3, 2007.
8 Videotaped interview with Ali Khalaf Salman; Jennifer Daskal, “Blackwater in Baghdad,” Salon, December 14, 2007.
9 Ibid.
10 James Glanz and Alissa J. Rubin, “From Errand to Fatal Shot to Hail of Fire to 17 Deaths,” New York Times, October 3, 2007.
11 Sudarsan Raghavan, “Tracing the Paths of 5 Who Died in a Storm of Gunfire,” Washington Post, October 4, 2007.
12 Sudarsan Raghavan and Josh White, “Blackwater Guards Fired at Fleeing Cars, Soldiers Say,” Washington Post, October 12, 2007.
13 James Glanz and Alissa J. Rubin, “From Errand to Fatal Shot to Hail of Fire to 17 Deaths,” New York Times, October 3, 2007.
14 Steven R. Hurst and Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Pieces Emerge in Blackwater Shooting,” Associated Press, October 8, 2007.
15 Videotaped interview with Ali Khalaf Salman.
16 Ibid.
17 Jomana Karadsheh and Alan Duke, “Blackwater Incident Witness: ‘It Was Hell,’” CNN.com, October 2, 2007.
18 Videotaped interview with Ali Khalaf Salman.
19 Jomana Karadsheh and Alan Duke, “Blackwater Incident Witness: ‘It Was Hell,’” CNN.com, October 2, 2007.
20 Sabrina Tavernise and James Glanz, “Guards’ Shots Not Provoked, Iraq Concludes,” New York Times, September 21, 2007.
21 Videotaped interview with Ali Khalaf Salman.
22 Ibid.
23 Sudarsan Raghavan, “Tracing the Paths of 5 Who Died in a Storm of Gunfire,” Washington Post, October 4, 2007.
24 Ibid.
25 Videotaped interview with Jawad al-Rubaie.
26 James Glanz and Alissa J. Rubin, “From Errand to Fatal Shot to Hail of Fire to 17 Deaths,” New York Times, October 3, 2007.
27 Steven R. Hurst and Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Pieces Emerge in Blackwater Shooting,” Associated Press, October 8, 2007.
28 Ibid.
29 Videotaped interview with Ali Khalaf Salman; Jennifer Daskal, “Blackwater in Baghdad,” Salon, December 14, 2007.
30 Sudarsan Raghavan, “Tracing the Paths of 5 Who Died in a Storm of Gunfire,” Washington Post, October 4, 2007.
31 Ibid.
32 Kim Sengupta, “The Real Story of Baghdad’s Bloody Sunday,” The Independent (London), September 21, 2007.
33 Ibid.
34 Steven R. Hurst and Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Pieces Emerge in Blackwater Shooting,” Associated Press, October 8, 2007.
35 Jomana Karadsheh and Alan Duke, “Blackwater Incident Witness: ‘It Was Hell,’” CNN.com, October 2, 2007.
36 Steven R. Hurst and Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Pieces Emerge in Blackwater Shooting,” Associated Press, October 8, 2007.
37 Ibid.
38 Jomana Karadsheh and Alan Duke, “Blackwater Incident Witness: ‘It Was Hell,’” CNN.com, October 2, 2007.
39 Steven R. Hurst and Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Pieces Emerge in Blackwater Shooting,” Associated Press, October 8, 2007.
40 Richard Engel, “Blackwater’s Ugly Americans,” MSNBC World Blog http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/28/385833.aspx, September 28, 2007.
41 Sabrina Tavernise, “US Contractor Banned by Iraq Over Shooting,” New York Times, September 18, 2007.
42 James Glanz and Sabrina Tavernise, “Blackwater Shooting Scene Was Chaotic,” New York Times, September 28, 2007.
43 Ibid.
44 Richard Engel, “Blackwater’s Ugly Americans,” MSNBC World Blog, September 28, 2007.
45 James Glanz and Alissa J. Rubin, “From Errand to Fatal Shot to Hail of Fire to 17 Deaths,” New York Times, October 3, 2007.
46 Jennifer Daskal, “Blackwater in Baghdad,” Salon, December 14, 2007.
47 Steven R. Hurst and Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Pieces Emerge in Blackwater Shooting,” Associated Press, October 8, 2007.
48 Ned Parker, “Iraq Bans U.S. Security Firm After Deadly Incident,” Los Angeles Times, September 18, 2007.
49 James Glanz and Alissa J. Rubin, “Blackwater Shootings ‘Deliberate Murder,’ Iraq Says,” New York Times, October 8, 2007.
50 Sabrina Tavernise, “US Contractor Banned by Iraq Over Shooting,” New York Times, September 18, 2007.
51 Ibid.
52 Jeremy Scahill, “Making a Killing,” The Nation, October 15, 2007.
53 Steve Fainaru, “Four Hired Guns in an Armored Truck, Bullets Flying, and a Pickup and a Taxi Brought to a Halt. Who Did the Shooting and Why?,” Washington Post, April 15, 2007.
54 Ibid.
55 John M. Broder, “Ex-Paratrooper Is Suspect in Drunken Killing of Iraqi,” New York Times, October 4, 2007.
56 Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
57 John M. Broder, “Ex-Paratrooper Is Suspect in Drunken Killing of Iraqi,” New York Times, October 4, 2007.
58 Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Additional Information About Blackwater USA,” October 1, 2007.
59 Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, February 7, 2007.
60 Bill Sizemore, “Blackwater Supports Inquiry into Fatal Shooting,” Virginian-Pilot, July 25, 2007.
61 Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, October 2, 2007.
62 John M. Broder, “State Dept. Plans Tighter Control of Security Firm,” New York Times, October 6, 2007.
63 Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, February 7, 2007.
64 Bill Sizemore, “Blackwater Supports Inquiry into Fatal Shooting,” Virginian-Pilot, July 25, 2007.
65 Steve Fainaru, “How Blackwater Sniper Fire Felled 3 Iraqi Guards,” Washington Post, November 8, 2007.
66 Ibid.
67 Ibid.
68 Ibid.
69 Steve Fainaru and Saad al-Izzi, “U.S. Security Contractors Open Fire in Baghdad,” Washington Post, May 27, 2007.
70 Ibid.
71 “U.S. Ambassador Calls Blackwater Shooting Horrific, but Still Feels High Regard for Guards,” Associated Press, October 25, 2007.
72 Steve Fainaru, “Warnings Unheeded on Guards in Iraq,” Washington Post, December 24, 2007.
73 Sudarsan Raghavan and Steve Fainaru, “U.S. Repeatedly Rebuffed Iraq on Blackwater Complaints,
” Washington Post, September 23, 2007.
74 Steve Fainaru, “How Blackwater Sniper Fire Felled 3 Iraqi Guards,” Washington Post, November 8, 2007.
75 Jeremy Scahill, “Making a Killing,” The Nation, October 15, 2007.
76 “Iraq Makes U-turn on Blackwater,” Al Jazeera, September 23, 2007.
77 “Iraq Official: Blackwater Exit Would Leave ‘Vacuum,’” Associated Press, September 23, 2007.
78 Sudarsan Raghavan and Steve Fainaru, “U.S. Repeatedly Rebuffed Iraq on Blackwater Complaints,” Washington Post, September 23, 2007.
79 Author interview, September 2007.
80 Steve Fainaru, “Where Military Rules Don’t Apply,” Washington Post, September 20, 2007.
81 Steve Fainaru, “Warnings Unheeded on Guards in Iraq,” Washington Post, December 24, 2007.
82 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, State Department Press Conference, September 21, 2007.
83 Jeremy Scahill, “Making a Killing,” The Nation, October 15, 2007.
84 Alissa J. Rubin and Andrew E. Kramer, “Iraqi Premier Says Blackwater Shootings Challenge His Nation’s Sovereignty,” New York Times, September 24, 2007.
85 James Glanz and Sabrina Tavernise, “Security Firm Faces Criminal Charges in Iraq,” New York Times, September 23, 2007.
86 Ibid.
87 Ibid.
88 Jeremy Scahill, “Making a Killing,” The Nation, October 15, 2007.
89 For more on this, see Chapter Four.
90 Author interview, September 2007.
91 Steve Fainaru, “Where Military Rules Don’t Apply,” Washington Post, September 20, 2007.
92 Ibid.
93 “U.S. Ambassador Calls Blackwater Shooting Horrific, but Still Feels High Regard for Guards,” Associated Press, October 25, 2007.
94 Transcript, Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, October 2, 2007.
95 Ibid.
96 Matthew Lee, “Security Firm Is in Smuggling Probe; Blackwater May Be Charged for Bringing Weapons Into Iraq,” Associated Press, September 22, 2007.
97 Author copy, letter from Representative Henry Waxman to Howard Krongard, September 18, 2007.
98 Ibid.
99 Jeremy Scahill, “Blackwater’s Brothers,” The Nation, November 15, 2007.
100 Warren P. Strobel, “Inspector General Krongard Resigns,” McClatchy Newspapers, December 8, 2007.
101 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.
103 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.
105 Author interview, March 2007.
106 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.
108 “‘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.
110 “Edwards Points to a Link,” Washington Post, October 6, 2007.
111 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.
113 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.
115 Ibid.
116 Ibid.
117 Transcript, Bill Moyers Journal, February 1, 2008.
118 Dena Bunis, “Rohrabacher Stands Behind Blackwater Chief,” Orange County Register, October 9, 2007.
119 Author copy.
120 “Blackwater Most Often Shoots First, Congressional Report Says,” CNN.com, October 2, 2007.
121 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.
123 Karen DeYoung, “Federal Guards to Protect Agents in Blackwater Investigation,” Washington Post, October 4, 2007.
124 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.
126 Jonathan Karl and Kirit Radia, “ABC News Obtains Text of Blackwater Immunity Deal,” ABCNews.go.com, October 30, 2007.
127 Author interview, October 2007.
128 Author interview, October 2007.
129 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.
131 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.
133 Ibid.
134 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.
136 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.
138 Jennifer Daskal, “Blackwater in Baghdad,” Salon, December 14, 2007.
139 Ibid.
140 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.
142 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.
144 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.
146 Lara Jakes Jordan, “FBI Finds Blackwater Trucks Patched,” Associated Press, January 12, 2008.
147 Author copy of the report.
148 Lara Jakes Jordan, “FBI Finds Blackwater Trucks Patched,” Associated Press, January 12, 2008.
149 Ibid.
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