Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army

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by Jeremy Scahill


  19 Erik Prince’s remarks at West 2006 Conference.

  20 Nathan Hodge, “After the Gold Rush,” Slate.com, February 9, 2006.

  21 U.S. Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce Web site, www.usacc.org/contents.php?cid=97, accessed December 5, 2006.

  22 U.S. Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce Web site, www.usacc.org/contents.php?cid=2, accessed December 5, 2006.

  23 Ibid.

  24 Tim Shorrock, “Contractor’s Arrogance Contributed to Iraqi Rebellion, Marine Colonel Says,” http://timshorrock.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_timshorrock_archive.html, accessed December 14, 2006.

  25 Emery P. Dalesio, “NC Firm Was Providing Security for Food Delivery in Iraq,” Associated Press, March 31, 2004.

  26 Chris Taylor speaking at “Contractors on the Battlefield: Learning from the Experience in Iraq,” George Washington University, January 28, 2005.

  27 Transcript, “Secretary Rumsfeld and Ambassador Jon Purnell Press Conference in Uzbekistan,” Department of Defense, February 24, 2004.

  28 Nick Paton Walsh, “US Privatises Its Military Aid to Georgia,” Guardian, January 6, 2004.

  29 Ibid.

  30 Russ Rizzo, “Pentagon Aims to Bolster Security in Caspian Sea Region,” Stars and Stripes (European edition), August 10, 2005.

  31 Brett Forrest, “Azerbaijan Over a Barrel,” Fortune (European Edition), November 28, 2005.

  32 “US Working to Boost Sea Forces in Oil-Rich Caspian: Envoy,” Agence France-Presse, September 21, 2005.

  33 Kathy Gannon, “As Azerbaijan Democracy Struggles, Iran Makes Its Weight Felt,” Associated Press, April 30, 2006.

  34 “2005 In Review: Conflicts in Caucasus Still Characterized by Gridlock,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, December 22, 2005.

  35 “The Danger of a Military Buildup in the South Caucasus,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, October 16, 2006.

  36 “Caspian Hopes and Hazards,” Africa Analysis (the Financial Times Limited), April 16, 2004.

  37 Ariel Cohen, “Azerbaijan Intrigue,” Washington Times, October 25, 2005.

  38 Joshua Kucera, “US Helps Forces, Gains Foothold in Caspian Region,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, May 25, 2005.

  39 Alman Talyshli, “Rumsfeld’s Baku Trip Stirs Controversy,” EurasiaNet, April 13, 2005.

  40 Ibid.

  41 Candace Rondeaux, “A Pipeline to Promise, or a Pipeline to Peril,” St. Petersburg Times, May 15, 2005.

  42 Vladimir Radyuhin, “Another Move in the Great Game,” The Hindu, May 27, 2005.

  43 Ibid.

  44 Ibid.

  45 White House press release, “Caspian Pipeline Consortium Fact Sheet,” November 13, 2001.

  46 Ibid.

  47 Ibid.

  48 U.S. Department of Energy press release, “Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline First Oil Ceremony: Remarks of Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman,” May 25, 2005.

  49 Report of the National Energy Policy Development Group, “Reliable, Affordable, Environmentally Sound Energy for America’s Future,” released by the White House in May 2001.

  50 U.S. Department of Energy press release, “Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline First Oil Ceremony: Remarks of Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman,” May 25, 2005.

  51 Ibid.

  52 David E. Sanger, “There’s Democracy, and There’s an Oil Pipeline,” New York Times, May 29, 2005.

  53 Human Rights Watch, World Report 2005.

  54 U.S. Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2005, released March 8, 2006.

  55 Ibid.

  56 Ibid.

  57 www.BlackwaterUSA.com.

  58 Tim Shorrock, “Contractor’s Arrogance Contributed to Iraqi Rebellion, Marine Colonel Says,” http://timshorrock.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_timshorrock_archive.html, accessed December 14, 2006.

  CHAPTER 13 1 School of the Americas Watch, “What is the SOA?” www.soaw.org.

  2 Amnesty International report, “United States of America: Human Dignity Denied; Torture and Accountability in the ‘War on Terror,’” October 27, 2004.

  3 Unless otherwise noted, all biographical information about and quotations from Jose Miguel Pizarro are drawn from an interview conducted in October 2006 by the author.

  4 One of the most comprehensive accounts of the U.S. role in Chile can be found in Peter Kornbluh’s incredibly detailed book, The Pinochet File: A Declassified Dossier on Atrocity and Accountability, The New Press, New York, 2003.

  5 Peter Kornbluh, The Pinochet File, p. 5.

  6 Ibid., “Project FUBELT: ‘Formula for Chaos,’”pp. 1-35.

  7 Ibid., p. 17.

  8 National Security Archive, “Chile and the United States: Declassified Documents Relating to the Military Coup, 1970-1976”; “CIA, Notes on Meeting with the President on Chile, September 15, 1970.”

  9 Peter Kornbluh, The Pinochet File, p. 91.

  10 Ibid., p. 113.

  11 Jeff Cohen and Norman Solomon, “Chile Coup—Media Coverage Still Evasive 20 Years Later,” Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting’s Media Beat, September 8, 1993.

  12 Peter Kornbluh, The Pinochet File, p. 234.

  13 Ibid., p. 176.

  14 Ibid., p. 153.

  15 Ibid., p. 176

  16 Ibid., p. 154.

  17 Ibid., p. 344.

  18 Marcelo Miranda, “Reclutamientos irregulares en Chile,” El Periodista (Chile), January 30, 2004.

  19 Gracia Rodrigo and Jorge Suez, “Parlamentarios rechazaron que en dependencias de la Armada se haya efectuado la inscripción de ex funcionarios interesados en trabajar para una firma en ese país en labores de seguridad,” La Tercera (Chile), October 20, 2003.

  20 “Ex comandos chilenos entrenan en EE.UU. antes de partir a Irak Los ex uniformados chilenos llegarán al Medio Oriente la próxima semana para prestar apoyo paramilitar a profesionales norteamericanos,” La Tercera (Chile), February 24, 2004.

  21 Pizarro interview, October 2006.

  22 Isabel Guzmán, Mauricio Aguirre, and Jorge Suez, “La Armada suspendió el proceso de captación de personal para una empresa particular e inició sumario interno Ministra Bachelet pide investigar reclutamiento de chilenos para tareas de seguridad en Irak. La oferta laboral es para prestar servicios de vigilancia en instalaciones portuarias, petrolíferas y civiles en el Golfo Pérsico,” La Tercera (Chile), October 21, 2003.

  23 Gracia Rodrigo and Jorge Suez, “Parlamentarios rechazaron que en dependencias de la Armada se haya efectuado la inscripción de ex funcionarios interesados en trabajar para una firma en ese país en labores de seguridad,” La Tercera (Chile), October 20, 2003.

  24 Mauricio Aguirre, “El jueves, en dos vuelos de distintas aerolíneas, los militares (R) se embarcaron hacia EE.UU, para arribar a su destino final los primeros días de marzo. Ex comandos chilenos partieron a Irak a prestar labores de seguridad,” La Tercera (Chile), February 22, 2004.

  25 Author interview with Pizarro, October 2006.

  26 Gracia Rodrigo and Jorge Suez, “Parlamentarios rechazaron que en dependencias de la Armada se haya efectuado la inscripción de ex funcionarios interesados en trabajar para una firma en ese país en labores de seguridad,” La Tercera (Chile), October 20, 2003.

  27 Gracia Rodrigo and Jorge Suez, “Parlamentarios rechazaron que en dependencias de la Armada se haya efectuado la inscripción de ex funcionarios interesados en trabajar para una firma en ese país en labores de seguridad,” La Tercera (Chile), October 20, 2003.

  28 Isabel Guzmán, Mauricio Aguirre, and Jorge Suez, “La Armada suspendió el proceso de captación de personal para una empresa particular e inició sumario interno Ministra Bachelet pide investigar reclutamiento de chilenos para tareas de seguridad en Irak. La oferta laboral es para prestar servicios de vigilancia en instalaciones portuarias, petrolíferas y civiles en el Golfo Pérsico,” La Tercera (Chile), October 21, 2003.

  29 Garry Leech, “Washington Targets Colombia’s Rebels,” Colombia Journal, July 29, 2002.

  30 Gustavo González, “Chilean Mercenaries in the Line of Fire,�
� Inter Press Service, April 7, 2004.

  31 Pizarro interview, October 2006.

  32 Pizarro interview; Héctor Rojas, “José Miguel Pizarro dice que recluta a efectivos para trabajar en labores de seguridad en el Medio Oriente, pero niega que se trate de mercenaries. Empresario asegura que enviará 3.000 ex militares chilenos a Irak en 2006,” La Tercera (Chile), October 28, 2005.

  33 Mauricio Aguirre, “El jueves, en dos vuelos de distintas aerolíneas, los militares (R) se embarcaron hacia EE.UU, para arribar a su destino final los primeros días de marzo. Ex comandos chilenos partieron a Irak a prestar labores de seguridad,” La Tercera (Chile), February 22, 2004.

  34 Ibid.

  35 “Empresa estadounidense adelanta viaje de ex comandos chilenos a Irak Por razones de seguridad, los ejecutivos de Blackwater—entidad que contrató los servicios de los ex militares—no quisieron dar mayores detalles sobre el traslado de los ex uniformados al Medio Oriente,” La Tercera (Chile), February 26, 2004.

  36 “Ex comandos chilenos entrenan en EE.UU. antes de partir a Irak,” La Tercera (Chile), February 24, 2004.

  37 Mauricio Aguirre, “El jueves, en dos vuelos de distintas aerolíneas, los militares (R) se embarcaron hacia EE.UU, para arribar a su destino final los primeros días de marzo. Ex comandos chilenos partieron a Irak a prestar labores de seguridad,” La Tercera (Chile), February 22, 2004.

  38 Ibid.

  39 Louis E.V. Nevaer, “For Security in Iraq, Corporate America Turns South,” Pacific News Service, June 15, 2004.

  40 Jonathan Franklin, “US Contractor Recruits Guards for Iraq in Chile,” Guardian, March 5, 2004.

  41 Mauricio Aguirre, “De aprobar la evaluación a la que serán sometidos por la empresa estadounidense de seguridad Blackwater, los paramilitares se sumarán al contingente de avanzada que ya se encuentra en Irak desempeñando labores de vigilancia para el gobierno encabezado por George Bush,” La Tercera (Chile), March 7, 2004.

  42 Fiona Ortiz, “Chile Guards in Iraq, a Thorn for Government at Home,” Reuters, April 20, 2004.

  43 Gustavo González, “Chilean Mercenaries in the Line of Fire,” Inter Press Service, April 7, 2004.

  44 Roberto Manríquez, “Chile in Haiti & Iraq,” Znet, June 2, 2004.

  45 Interview by e-mail October 2006.

  46 Ibid.

  47 Gustavo González, “Chilean Mercenaries in the Line of Fire,” Inter Press Service, April 7, 2004.

  48 Carmen Gloria Vitalic, “Ejército investiga reclutamiento de ex militares para trabajar como ‘guardias’ en Irak,” La Tercera (Chile), July 21, 2004.

  49 Irene Caselli, “More Chilean Mercenaries to Be Sent to Iraq,” The Santiago Times (Chile), September 9, 2004.

  50 Ibid.

  51 Ricardo Calderon, “Atrapados en Bagdad,” Semana (Colombia), August 20, 2006.

  52 Sonni Efron, “Worry Grows as Foreigners Flock to Iraq’s Risky Jobs,” Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2005.

  53 Ibid.

  54 Ibid.

  55 Unless otherwise noted, the quotes from the various Colombians speaking about their experiences with Blackwater are drawn from Ricardo Calderon, “Atrapados en Bagdad,” Semana (Colombia), August 20, 2006.

  56 Andy Webb-Vidal, “Colombian Ex-Soldiers in Iraq Pay Dispute,” Financial Times, August 21, 2006.

  57 “Honduras Orders Chileans Training to Become Security Guards in Iraq to Leave Country,” Associated Press, September 20, 2005.

  58 Carmen Gloria Vitalic, “Ejército investiga reclutamiento de ex militares para trabajar como ‘guardias’ en Irak,” La Tercera (Chile), July 21, 2004.

  59 Ginger Thompson and Gary Cohn, “Torturers’ Confessions: Now in Exile, These CIA-TRAINED Hondurans Describe Their Lives—and the Deaths of Their Victims,” Baltimore Sun, June 13, 1995.

  60 Weekly News Update on the Americas #817, September 25, 2005.

  61 “In Honduras, Former Soldiers Leave for Private-Security Work in Iraq,” Associated Press, August 23, 2005.

  62 “Honduras Orders Chileans Training to Become Security Guards in Iraq to Leave Country,” Associated Press, September 20, 2005.

  63 Hugo Infante, “Comandos chilenos en Irak relatan cómo han sobrevivido en ese país,” La Tercera (Chile), June 6, 2004.

  64 Ibid.

  65 Darío Bermúdez, “Capítulos desconocidos de los mercenarios chilenos en Honduras camino de Iraq,” La Nación (Chile), September 25, 2005; interviews October 2006.

  66 “Honduras Orders Chileans Training to Become Security Guards in Iraq to Leave Country,” Associated Press, September 20, 2005.

  67 Carmen Gloria Vitalic, “Ejército investiga reclutamiento de ex militares para trabajar como ‘guardias’ en Irak,” La Tercera (Chile), July 21, 2004.

  68 Freddy Cuevas, “Honduras Fines U.S. Subsidiary Over Alleged Mercenary Training,” Associated Press, November 25, 2006.

  69 “Honduras Extends Deadline for Deporting Chileans After Nicaragua Refuses to Accept Them,” Associated Press, September 24, 2005.

  70 “Chileans Trained in Honduras to Be Shipped to Iraq,” the Santiago Times, September 21, 2005.

  71 Weekly News Update on the Americas #817, September 25, 2005.

  72 “Honduras Deports Chileans Training for Private Guard Duty in Iraq,” Associated Press, September 23, 2005.

  73 “Chilean Security Guards Destined for Iraq, Training in Honduras,” Honduras This Week, September 26, 2005.

  74 “Engañados dos hondureños que trabajaban en Irak,” EFE Agency (Spain), October 29, 2005.

  75 Freddy Cuevas, “Honduras Fines U.S. Subsidiary Over Alleged Mercenary Training,” Associated Press, November 25, 2006.

  76 Ibid.

  77 “Former Officer Accused of Recruiting Soldiers, Police, for Security Work in Iraq,” Associated Press, October 21, 2005.

  78 Héctor Rojas, “José Miguel Pizarro dice que recluta a efectivos para trabajar en labores de seguridad en el Medio Oriente, pero niega que se trate de mercenaries. Empresario asegura que enviará 3.000 ex militares chilenos a Irak en 2006,” La Tercera (Chile), October 28, 2005.

  79 Interview, October 2006.

  80 Interview by e-mail, October 2006.

  CHAPTER 14 1 Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information from Danica Zovko come from author interviews in the summer of 2006.

  2 Author copy.

  3 Joseph Neff and Jay Price, “After the Horror, Strong Words Mask Inaction; Little Has Been Done to Determine the Facts of the Ambush in Fallujah That Cost Four Civilian Contractors Their Lives,” News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), August 1, 2004.

  4 “A Warrior Who Wanted Peace,” St. Petersburg Times (Florida), April 14, 2004.

  5 “Death and Funeral Notices,” San Diego Union-Tribune, April 9, 2004.

  6 Renae Merle, “Contract Workers Are War’s Forgotten; Iraq Deaths Create Subculture of Loss,” Washington Post, July 31, 2004.

  7 Ibid.

  8 Ibid.

  9 Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information from Katy Helvenston-Wettengel come from author interviews throughout 2006.

  10 David Barstow, “Security Firm Says Its Workers Were Lured Into Iraqi Ambush,” New York Times, April 9, 2004.

  11 Transcript, The Big Story With John Gibson, Fox News, March 31, 2004.

  12 Ibid.

  13 Transcript, Morning Edition, NPR, April 1, 2004.

  14 Transcript, The Big Story With John Gibson, Fox News, April 2, 2004.

  15 Patrick Graham, “Veiled Threat: Why an SUV Is Now the Most Dangerous Vehicle in Iraq,” The Observer (London), April 4, 2004.

  16 Ibid.

  17 Mark LeVine, “Seeing Iraq Through the Globalization Lens,” Christian Science Monitor, April 5, 2004.

  18 David Barstow, “Security Firm Says Its Workers Were Lured Into Iraqi Ambush,” New York Times, April 9, 2004.

  19 Ibid.

  20 Ibid.

  21 Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examin
ation of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.

  22 David Barstow, “Security Firm Says Its Workers Were Lured Into Iraqi Ambush,” New York Times, April 9, 2004.

  23 Jim Steele’s “Premiere Speakers Bureau” biography.

 

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