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

by Jeremy Scahill

  61 Ibid.

  62 Blackwater USA press release, April 21, 2005.

  63 Transcript, CNN Live From, April 21, 2005.

  64 Transcript, CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports, April 21, 2005.

  65 Ibid.

  66 Transcript, Defense Department Briefing, April 22, 2005.

  67 Emery P. Dalesio, “N.C. Security Company Faces Largest Death Toll in Iraq,” Associated Press, April 23, 2005.

  68 Samiha Khanna, “Slain Guards’ Lives Recalled: N.C. Company Loses 7 in Iraq,” the News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), April 24, 2005.

  69 Steve Hundley, “U.S. Sends Soldiers Into a Meat Grinder,” Austin American-Statesman, June 11, 2006.

  70 Samiha Khanna, “Slain Guards’ Lives Recalled: N.C. Company Loses 7 in Iraq,” the News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina), April 24, 2005.

  71 “11 Die As Missile Downs Copter—Blackwater’s Black Day: 7 Employees Killed,” the Commercial Appeal (Memphis), April 22, 2005.

  72 Blackwater USA press release, April 21, 2005.

  73 Ibid.

  74 Joe D. Morton, Acting Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security and Director for the Office of Foreign Missions, Statement to Employees of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, April 22, 2005.

  75 Transcript, Daily Press Briefing, U.S. State Department, April 21, 2005.

  76 Ibid.

  77 “11 Die As Missile Downs Copter—Blackwater’s Black Day: 7 Employees Killed,” the Commercial Appeal (Memphis), April 22, 2005.

  78 Thomas Wagner, “Car Bomb Kills 8 at Baghdad Mosque; Militant Group Says It Killed Survivor of Copter Crash,” Associated Press, April 22, 2005.

  79 Emery P. Dalesio, “N.C. Company Loses Seven in Iraq,” Associated Press, April 23, 2005.

  CHAPTER 18 1 U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform Minority Staff Special Investigations Division, “Halliburton’s Questioned and Unsupported Costs in Iraq Exceed $1.4 Billion,” June 27, 2005.

  2 Ibid.

  3 David Firestone, “Senate Votes to Require Open Bidding on Contracts,” the New York Times, October 3, 2003.

  4 Bloomberg News, “Pentagon Official Sees No Gouging,” the Houston Chronicle, July 2, 2004.

  5 Joseph Schmitz, “Improving Oversight at Defense; Mission Drives Overhaul of IG’s Office,” Federal Times, September 8, 2003; Department of Defense biography of Joseph Schmitz, www.defenselink.mil/bios/ schmitz_bio.html.

  6 T. Christian Miller, “Pentagon Investigator Resigning: Joseph E. Schmitz, the Defense Department’s Inspector General, Is Suspected of Blocking Investigations of Senior Bush Officials,” the Los Angeles Times, September 3, 2005.

  7 Ibid.

  8 Author copy of Schmitz’s letter.

  9 Ibid.

  10 Transcript of Joseph Schmitz’s remarks as prepared for delivery at the City Club of Cleveland, June 25, 2004.

  11 Joseph E. Schmitz official biography, Department of Defense, February 10, 2005.

  12 As stated on the Web site of the Order of Malta Federal Association, USA, www.smom.org/worldwide-history.php, captured December 4, 2006.

  13 Ibid.

  14 Remarks delivered by Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz of the Department of Defense to the 16th International Military Chaplains Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia, February 9, 2005.

  15 J. Cofer Black speaking at the American Enterprise Institute, May 17, 2006.

  16 Blackwater USA press release, “Joseph E. Schmitz Becomes Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for The Prince Group,” September 13, 2005.

  17 Ibid.

  18 Howard Seelye, “Schmitz Striving for Moderate Image in Race for Utt’s Seat,” the Los Angeles Times, April 12, 1970.

  19 Ibid.

  20 Phil Kerby, “The Reagan Backlash,” The Nation, September 25, 1967.

  21 David Haldane and Jean O. Pasco, “Fiery O.C. Ultraconservative Schmitz Dies,” the Los Angeles Times, January 11, 2001.

  22 Ibid.

  23 Adam Bernstein, “Conservative GOP Congressman John G. Schmitz, 70, Dies,” the Washington Post, January 12, 2001.

  24 David Haldane and Jean O. Pasco, “Fiery O.C. Ultraconservative Schmitz Dies,” the Los Angeles Times, January 11, 2001.

  25 “LeTourneau’s Father Dies,” the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 12, 2001.

  26 Thomas J. Foley, “Rousselot, Schmitz Condemn Visit Plan,” the Los Angeles Times, July 17, 1971.

  27 Ibid.

  28 Adam Bernstein, “Conservative GOP Congressman John G. Schmitz, 70, Dies,” the Washington Post, January 12, 2001.

  29 David Haldane and Jean O. Pasco, “Fiery O.C. Ultraconservative Schmitz Dies,” the Los Angeles Times, January 11, 2001.

  30 Adam Bernstein, “Conservative GOP Congressman John G. Schmitz, 70, Dies,” the Washington Post, January 12, 2001.

  31 Ibid.

  32 David Haldane and Jean O. Pasco, “Fiery O.C. Ultraconservative Schmitz Dies,” the Los Angeles Times, January 11, 2001.

  33 Ibid.

  34 Mark Martin, “John G. Schmitz, Former Congressman From Orange County,” the San Francisco Chronicle, January 12, 2001.

  35 John P. Schmitz, profile, www.mayerbrownrowe.com/lawyers/profile.asp?hubbardid=S884112239, accessed December 5, 2006.

  36 Lawrence E. Walsh, “Final Report of the Independent Counsel for Iran/Contra Matters,” Chapter 28, August 4, 1993.

  37 Ibid.

  38 Ibid.

  39 Ibid.

  40 Ibid.

  41 Ibid.

  42 Ibid.

  43 Department of Defense biography of Joseph Schmitz, www.defenselink.mil/bios/schmitz_bio.html.

  44 Lawrence E. Walsh, “Final Report of the Independent Counsel for Iran/Contra Matters,” Chapter 31, August 4, 1993.

  45 John P. Schmitz profile, www.mayerbrownrowe.com/lawyers/profile.asp?hubbardid=S884112239, accessed December 5, 2006.

  46 Ibid.

  47 Author copy of Senate Office of Public Records lobbying records.

  48 “Bush Donor Profile: John Patrick Schmitz,” Texans for Public Justice, www.tpj.org/docs/pioneers/pioneers_view.jsp?id=723, accessed December 5, 2006.

  49 Alex Tresniowski, Lorenzo Benet, and Stacey Wilson, “One Year Later,” People, May 15, 2006.

  50 Ibid.

  51 Ibid.

  52 “LeTourneau’s Father Dies,” the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 12, 2001.

  53 Department of Defense biography of Joseph Schmitz, www.defenselink.mil/bios/schmitz_bio.html.

  54 Ibid.

  55 Patton Boggs’s Iraq Reconstruction page, www.pattonboggs.com/practiceareas/a-z/ 104.html, as it appeared on June 15, 2003.

  56 Ibid.

  57 Joseph E. Schmitz, “Comments About Recent Veto of HHS Bill,” letter published in the Washington Times, November 7, 1989.

  58 Joseph E. Schmitz, “It’s Not a Federal Matter,” letter published in the Washington Post, July 13, 1990.

  59 Joseph E. Schmitz, “Mr. Dershowitz’s Dilemma Is No Dilemma,” letter published in the Washington Times, July 6, 1992.

  60 Transcript, “U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Holds a Hearing on Defense Department Nominations,” October 23, 2001.

  61 Joseph E. Schmitz, “If you pull that lever for Clinton . . .,” letter published in the Washington Times, October 30, 1992.

  62 Ibid.

  63 Transcript, “U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Holds a Hearing on Defense Department Nominations,” October 23, 2001.

  64 Ibid.

  65 Ibid.

  66 As stated on the Department of Defense Inspector General’s Web site.

  67 Remarks as delivered by Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz of the Department of Defense, “Wrestling with Discipline: Life Lessons in Leadership,” National Wrestling Coaches Association Coaches Clinic, St. Louis, Missouri, March 20, 2004.

  68 Remarks as delivered by Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz of the Department of Defense, Association of Naval Aviators Defense Industry Leaders Breakfast, Tysons Corner, Vir
ginia, June 10, 2004.

  69 T. Christian Miller, “The Scrutinizer Finds Himself Under Scrutiny,” Los Angeles Times, September 25, 2005.

  70 Ibid.

  71 Ibid.

  72 Ibid.

  73 Transcript, White House Daily Press Briefing, March 25, 2003.

  74 Stephen Labaton, “Pentagon Adviser Is Also Advising Global Crossing,” New York Times, March 21, 2003; Seymour M. Hersh, “Lunch With the Chairman: Why Was Richard Perle Meeting with Adnan Khashoggi?” The New Yorker, March 17, 2003.

  75 Stephen Labaton, “Pentagon Adviser Is Also Advising Global Crossing,” New York Times, March 21, 2003.

  76 Ibid.

  77 Ibid.

  78 Janine Zacharia, “Pentagon Clears Richard Perle of Wrongdoing,” Jerusalem Post, November 19, 2003.

  79 Stephen Labaton, “Report Finds No Violations at Pentagon by Adviser,” New York Times, November 15, 2003.

  80 Janine Zacharia, “Pentagon Clears Richard Perle of Wrongdoing,” Jerusalem Post, November 19, 2003.

  81 Jennifer C. Kerr, “Perle Didn’t Violate Ethics Rules, IG Report Says,” Associated Press, November 15, 2003.

  82 “Investigation Clears Perle of Wrongdoing—Rumsfeld,” Reuters, November 16, 2003.

  83 R. Jeffrey Smith and Josh White, “General’s Speeches Broke Rules; Report Says Boykin Failed to Obtain Clearance,” Washington Post, August 19, 2004.

  84 William M. Arkin, “The Pentagon Unleashes a Holy Warrior,” Los Angeles Times, October 16, 2003.

  85 Ibid.

  86 R. Jeffrey Smith and Josh White, “General’s Speeches Broke Rules; Report Says Boykin Failed to Obtain Clearance,” Washington Post, August 19, 2004.

  87 William M. Arkin, “The Pentagon Unleashes a Holy Warrior,” Los Angeles Times, October 16, 2003.

  88 Transcript, NBC Nightly News, October 15, 2003.

  89 William M. Arkin, “The Pentagon Unleashes a Holy Warrior,” Los Angeles Times, October 16, 2003.

  90 Ibid.

  91 Ibid.

  92 Michael Smith, “Donald Rumsfeld’s New Killer Elite, The Times (London) Online, February 12, 2006.

  93 William M. Arkin, “The Pentagon Unleashes a Holy Warrior,” Los Angeles Times, October 16, 2003.

  94 Sidney Blumenthal, “The Religious Warrior of Abu Ghraib: An Evangelical US General Played a Pivotal Role in Iraqi Prison Reform,” the Guardian, May 20, 2004. See also: John Barry, Michael Hirsh, and Michael Isikoff, “The Roots of Torture,” Newsweek, May 24, 2004.

  95 Jim Mannion, “General to Be Investigated for Anti-Muslim Remarks,” Agence France-Presse, October 21, 2003.

  96 Ibid.

  97 R. Jeffrey Smith and Josh White, “General’s Speeches Broke Rules; Report Says Boykin Failed to Obtain Clearance,” Washington Post, August 19, 2004.

  98 Ibid.

  99 Transcript of Joseph Schmitz’s remarks as prepared for delivery at the City Club of Cleveland, June 25, 2004.

  100 Joe Milicia, “Inspector General Says Prisoner Abuse Result of ‘Bad Eggs,’” Associated Press, June 25, 2004.

  101 Ibid.

  102 Transcript of Joseph Schmitz’s remarks as prepared for delivery at the City Club of Cleveland, June 25, 2004.

  103 Ibid.

  104 Ibid.

  105 Ibid.

  106 Ibid.

  107 Remarks as delivered by Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz of the Department of Defense, Information Assurance Industry Day, Arlington, Virginia, March 30, 2004.

  108 Transcript of Joseph Schmitz’s remarks as prepared for delivery at the City Club of Cleveland, June 25, 2004.

  109 Ibid.

  110 Ibid.

  111 Ibid.

  112 T. Christian Miller, “The Scrutinizer Finds Himself Under Scrutiny,” Los Angeles Times, September 25, 2005.

  113 Ibid.

  114 Ibid.

  115 Remarks as delivered by Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz of the Department of Defense, Von Steuben Monument Dedication: “The Role of Inspectors General in Defending American Values,” Monmouth Battlefield, Monmouth, New Jersey, May 15, 2004.

  116 Transcript of Joseph Schmitz’s remarks as prepared for delivery at the City Club of Cleveland, June 25, 2004.

  117 T. Christian Miller, Blood Money, p. 57.

  118 T. Christian Miller, “The Scrutinizer Finds Himself Under Scrutiny,” Los Angeles Times, September 25, 2005.

  119 T. Christian Miller, Blood Money, pp. 55-68.

  120 T. Christian Miller, “Pentagon Investigator Resigning: Joseph E. Schmitz, the Defense Department’s Inspector General, Is Suspected of Blocking Investigations of Senior Bush Officials,” Los Angeles Times, September 3, 2005.

  121 T. Christian Miller, “The Conflict in Iraq: Pentagon Deputy’s Probes in Iraq Weren’t Authorized, Officials Say,” Los Angeles Times, July 7, 2004.

  122 T. Christian Miller, “The Scrutinizer Finds Himself Under Scrutiny,” Los Angeles Times, September 25, 2005.

  123 T. Christian Miller, Blood Money, p. 68.

  124 T. Christian Miller, “The Scrutinizer Finds Himself Under Scrutiny,” Los Angeles Times, September 25, 2005.

  125 Author copy of press release.

  126 Ibid.

  127 Ibid.

  128 Author copy of letter dated July 27, 2005.

  129 Ibid.

  130 T. Christian Miller, “Pentagon Investigator Resigning: Joseph E. Schmitz, the Defense Department’s Inspector General, Is Suspected of Blocking Investigations of Senior Bush Officials,” Los Angeles Times, September 3, 2005.

  131 T. Christian Miller, “Pentagon Ousts Official Under FBI Investigation,” Los Angeles Times, December 11, 2004.]

  132 Author copy: Joseph E. Schmitz, “Inspecting Sex Slavery Through the Fog of Moral Relativism,” September 18, 2004.

  133 Ibid.

  134 Cam Simpson, “Commander: Contractors Violating U.S. Trafficking Laws,” Chicago Tribune, April 23, 2006.

  135 The series “Pipeline to Peril” by Cam Simpson was published in Chicago Tribune, October 9-10, 2005.

  136 Cam Simpson, “Commander: Contractors Violating U.S. Trafficking Laws,” Chicago Tribune, April 23, 2006.

  137 Ibid.

  138 Ibid.

  139 Mike Allen, “Details on Boeing Deal Sought; Senators Raise Questions About White House Involvement,” Washington Post, June 8, 2005.

  140 Greg Schneider and Renae Merle, “Pentagon to Lease Boeing Tanker Planes: Unusual Deal Saves Jobs; McCain Alleges Bias,” Washington Post, May 24, 2003.

  141 Ibid.

  142 Ibid.

  143 Peter Spiegel, “Pentagon Gives Go-Ahead Over Boeing Deal,” Financial Times, May 24, 2003.

  144 Caroline Daniel, James Harding, Joshua Chaffin, and Marianne Brun-Rovet, “A Cosy Relationship: Boeing’s Pentagon Deal Bears Testament to Its Skilful Lobbying Efforts,” Financial Times, December 8, 2003.

  145 Ibid.

  146 Greg Schneider and Renae Merle, “Pentagon to Lease Boeing Tanker Planes: Unusual Deal Saves Jobs; McCain Alleges Bias,” Washington Post, May 24, 2003.

  147 Renae Merle, “Lockheed Adds Director Fresh From the Pentagon,” Washington Post, June 27, 2003.

  148 Caroline Daniel, James Harding, Joshua Chaffin, and Marianne Brun-Rovet, “A Cosy Relationship: Boeing’s Pentagon Deal Bears Testament to Its Skilful Lobbying Efforts,” Financial Times, December 8, 2003.

  149 “Holes in the Tanker Story,” Washington Post, June 20, 2005.

  150 R. Jeffrey Smith, “Tanker Inquiry Finds Rumsfeld’s Attention Was Elsewhere,” Washington Post, June 20, 2006.

  151 Mike Allen, “Details on Boeing Deal Sought; Senators Raise Questions About White House Involvement,” Washington Post, June 8, 2005.

  152 Author copy of Senator Grassley letter to Schmitz, dated August 8, 2005.

  153 Ibid.

  154 “Holes in the Tanker Story,” Washington Post, June 20, 2005.