Attachment
More than $400 million in contracts is still being honoured to the private security company known as Blackwater, by the U.S. State Department. Blackwater operates some of the U.S.’ most sensitive operations and protects some of its most important assets.
Current and former Blackwater employees, plus government officials, disclosed this week that the company is involved in the U.S.A.’s most important counter-terrorism program: the use of remotely piloted drones (UAVs) to assassinate Al Qaeda leaders.
Under a two-year $217 million contract, which expires on Sept 3rd, Blackwater continues to provide aviation services to diplomats in Iraq. Ian C. Kelly, spokesman for the State Department, said “The work would be given to another security and logistics company, DynCorp International"
There is also a 2011 contract, worth $210 million, to supply personnel and security to American diplomats in Afghanistan. Blackwater will also be paid $6 million for a three-year contract, to train foreign security guards in antiterrorism tactics, in a remote camp in North Carolina.
It is well known that the overstretched military and spy service are compelled to outsource some of their most important jobs. These include the collection of intelligence in foreign countries, working with foreign agents and covert programs.
Hilary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, has guaranteed to reduce the U.S.’s dependency on private security contractors. “I certainly am of the mind that we should, insofar as possible, reduce our dependence. Whether we can go all the way to banning them, under current circumstances, seems unlikely".
Government officials have estimated that approximately 25 % of the intelligence workforce is made up of contractors and up to 70 % of the entire intelligence budget goes to outside contractors.
A senior department official believes it would be costly for the government to terminate its contracts with Blackwater, without cause, particularly as one contracts extends into 2011.
The U.S. State Department now requires Blackwater contractors to undergo ‘Afghan cultural awareness’ training, following a shooting where 17 civilians were killed in Baghdad.
Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation (http://youmesupport.org) provide high school education grants for children who are without hope. You can help in this really great project by taking a few minutes to check it the Tropical Island Treasure Chest at Win a Resort (http://winaresort.com) It really will change your life.
Feel free to contact Wendy on admin@youmesupport.org
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
