Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army (82 page)
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Authors: Jeremy Scahill
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CHAPTER 14
1
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information from Danica Zovko come from author interviews in the summer of 2006.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information from Danica Zovko come from author interviews in the summer of 2006.
2
Author copy.
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.
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.
“A Warrior Who Wanted Peace,”
St. Petersburg Times
(Florida), April 14, 2004.
5
“Death and Funeral Notices,”
San Diego Union-Tribune,
April 9, 2004.
“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.
Renae Merle, “Contract Workers Are War’s Forgotten; Iraq Deaths Create Subculture of Loss,”
Washington Post,
July 31, 2004.
7
Ibid.
Ibid.
8
Ibid.
Ibid.
9
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information from Katy Helvenston-Wettengel come from author interviews throughout 2006.
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.
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.
Transcript,
The Big Story With John Gibson,
Fox News, March 31, 2004.
12
Ibid.
Ibid.
13
Transcript,
Morning Edition,
NPR, April 1, 2004.
Transcript,
Morning Edition,
NPR, April 1, 2004.
14
Transcript,
The Big Story With John Gibson,
Fox News, April 2, 2004.
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.
Patrick Graham, “Veiled Threat: Why an SUV Is Now the Most Dangerous Vehicle in Iraq,”
The Observer
(London), April 4, 2004.
16
Ibid.
Ibid.
17
Mark LeVine, “Seeing Iraq Through the Globalization Lens,”
Christian Science Monitor,
April 5, 2004.
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.
David Barstow, “Security Firm Says Its Workers Were Lured Into Iraqi Ambush,”
New York Times,
April 9, 2004.
19
Ibid.
Ibid.
20
Ibid.
Ibid.
21
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination 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.
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.
Jim Steele’s “Premiere Speakers Bureau” biography.
24
Jon Lee Anderson, “The Uprising,”
The New Yorker,
May 3, 2004.
Jon Lee Anderson, “The Uprising,”
The New Yorker,
May 3, 2004.
25
Colin Freeman, “Fallujah: Brutal Ambush Might Have Been Avoided,”
San Francisco Chronicle,
April 19, 2004.
Colin Freeman, “Fallujah: Brutal Ambush Might Have Been Avoided,”
San Francisco Chronicle,
April 19, 2004.
26
Ibid.
Ibid.
27
Michael Duffy, “When Private Armies Take to the Front Lines,”
Time,
April 12, 2004.
Michael Duffy, “When Private Armies Take to the Front Lines,”
Time,
April 12, 2004.
28
Colin Freeman, “Fallujah: Brutal Ambush Might Have Been Avoided,”
San Francisco Chronicle,
April 19, 2004.
Colin Freeman, “Fallujah: Brutal Ambush Might Have Been Avoided,”
San Francisco Chronicle,
April 19, 2004.
29
Ibid.
Ibid.
30
Ibid.
Ibid.
31
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.
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.
32
Ibid.
Ibid.
33
“U.S. Security Contractor Cites Explosive Growth Amid Iraq War,” Associated Press, October 13, 2004.
“U.S. Security Contractor Cites Explosive Growth Amid Iraq War,” Associated Press, October 13, 2004.
34
Ibid.
Ibid.
35
Ibid.
Ibid.
36
Interviews 2006.
Interviews 2006.
37
Interviews 2006.
Interviews 2006.
38
Blackwater Tactical Weekly,
November 8, 2004.
Blackwater Tactical Weekly,
November 8, 2004.
39
Bill Sizemore and Joanne Kimberlin, “When Things Go Wrong,”
Virginian-Pilot,
July 26, 2006.
Bill Sizemore and Joanne Kimberlin, “When Things Go Wrong,”
Virginian-Pilot,
July 26, 2006.
40
Author copy of photo.
Author copy of photo.
41
Blackwater Tactical Weekly
, November 22, 2004.
Blackwater Tactical Weekly
, November 22, 2004.
42
Beckman Coulter v. Flextronics
(Orange County Superior Court, California). The verdict was the largest in California in 2003 and the largest in Orange County history.
Beckman Coulter v. Flextronics
(Orange County Superior Court, California). The verdict was the largest in California in 2003 and the largest in Orange County history.
43
Interview 2006.
Interview 2006.
44
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
45
Ibid.
Ibid.
46
Author copy of contract.
Author copy of contract.
47
Blackwater Motion to Dismiss, filed January 31, 2005.
Blackwater Motion to Dismiss, filed January 31, 2005.
48
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
49
Ibid.
Ibid.
50
Interview 2006.
Interview 2006.
51
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
52
Ibid.
Ibid.
53
Joseph Neff and Jay Prince (the
News & Observer
), “Use of Private Contractors in War Zones Proves Costly,” Associated Press, October 25, 2004.
Joseph Neff and Jay Prince (the
News & Observer
), “Use of Private Contractors in War Zones Proves Costly,” Associated Press, October 25, 2004.
54
Author copy of contract.
Author copy of contract.
55
Author copy of letter.
Author copy of letter.
56
Author copy of letter.
Author copy of letter.
57
Transcript, Hearing of House Government Reform Committee, September 28, 2006.
Transcript, Hearing of House Government Reform Committee, September 28, 2006.
58
E-mail to producers of PBS
Frontline
,
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/warriors/etc/response.html
, posted June 21, 2005.
E-mail to producers of PBS
Frontline
,
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/warriors/etc/response.html
, posted June 21, 2005.
59
Ibid.
Ibid.
60
“Interim Audit Report on Inappropriate Use of Proprietary Data Markings by the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) Contractor,” Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, October 26, 2006.
“Interim Audit Report on Inappropriate Use of Proprietary Data Markings by the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) Contractor,” Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, October 26, 2006.
61
Ibid.
Ibid.
62
Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta Jr., “Halliburton Contracts in Iraq: The Struggle to Manage Costs,”
New York Times,
December 29, 2003.
Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta Jr., “Halliburton Contracts in Iraq: The Struggle to Manage Costs,”
New York Times,
December 29, 2003.
63
Halliburton Statement, December 7, 2006.
Halliburton Statement, December 7, 2006.
64
Letter from Representative Henry Waxman to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, December 7, 2006.
Letter from Representative Henry Waxman to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, December 7, 2006.
65
Ibid.
Ibid.
66
Transcript, “Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight,” House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, February 7, 2007.
Transcript, “Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight,” House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, February 7, 2007.
67
See Jeremy Scahill and Garrett Ordower, “KBR’s $400 Million Iraq Question,” The Nation online, March 12, 2007.
See Jeremy Scahill and Garrett Ordower, “KBR’s $400 Million Iraq Question,” The Nation online, March 12, 2007.
68
Transcript, “Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight,” House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, February 7, 2007.
Transcript, “Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight,” House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, February 7, 2007.
69
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
70
Ibid.
Ibid.
71
Ibid.
Ibid.
72
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
73
Blackwater report, “Blackwater’s Response to ‘Majority Staff Report,’” October 23, 2007.
Blackwater report, “Blackwater’s Response to ‘Majority Staff Report,’” October 23, 2007.
74
Author copy of contract.
Author copy of contract.
75
Interview 2006.
Interview 2006.
76
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
77
See Chapter 5.
See Chapter 5.
78
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
79
Ibid.
Ibid.
80
Ibid.
Ibid.
81
Transcript, “Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight,” House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, February 7, 2007.
Transcript, “Hearing on Iraq Private Contractor Oversight,” House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, February 7, 2007.
82
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
83
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
84
Ibid.
Ibid.
85
Ibid.
Ibid.
86
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
87
Interview 2006.
Interview 2006.
88
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
89
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
Richard P. Nordan v. Blackwater Security Consulting, LLC et. al.,
filed January 5, 2005.
90
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority Staff Report, “Private Military Contractors in Iraq: An Examination of Blackwater’s Actions in Fallujah,” September 2007.
91
Ibid.
Ibid.
92
Blackwater report, “Blackwater’s Response to ‘Majority Staff Report,’” October 23, 2007.
Blackwater report, “Blackwater’s Response to ‘Majority Staff Report,’” October 23, 2007.
93
Ibid.
Ibid.
94
Bill Sizemore and Joanne Kimberlin, “When Things Go Wrong,”
Virginian-Pilot,
July 26, 2006.
Bill Sizemore and Joanne Kimberlin, “When Things Go Wrong,”
Virginian-Pilot,
July 26, 2006.
95
E-mail to author April 14, 2006.
E-mail to author April 14, 2006.
96
Scott Dodd, “Families of 4 Contractors Killed in Iraq Sue Security Company,” Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, January 6, 2005.
Scott Dodd, “Families of 4 Contractors Killed in Iraq Sue Security Company,” Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, January 6, 2005.
97
Interviews 2006.
Interviews 2006.
98
Interviews 2006.
Interviews 2006.
99
Transcript, “Hearing of the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee,” June 13, 2006.
Transcript, “Hearing of the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee,” June 13, 2006.
100
Author copy, “Blackwater Defendants’ Memorandum in Opposition,” December 26, 2006.
Author copy, “Blackwater Defendants’ Memorandum in Opposition,” December 26, 2006.
101
Author copy, “Reply Brief in Support of Motion,” December 27, 2006.
Author copy, “Reply Brief in Support of Motion,” December 27, 2006.
102
Author copy, “United States’ Limited Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion,” December 26, 2006.
Author copy, “United States’ Limited Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion,” December 26, 2006.
103
Author copy, “Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury of Colonel Richard O. Hatch,” December 26, 2006.
Author copy, “Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury of Colonel Richard O. Hatch,” December 26, 2006.
104
Quadrennial Defense Review Report, February 6, 2006.
Quadrennial Defense Review Report, February 6, 2006.
105
Blackwater appellate brief, filed October 31, 2005.
Blackwater appellate brief, filed October 31, 2005.
106
Bernd Debusmann, “In Iraq, Contractor Deaths Near 650, Legal Fog Thickens,” Reuters, October 10, 2006.
Bernd Debusmann, “In Iraq, Contractor Deaths Near 650, Legal Fog Thickens,” Reuters, October 10, 2006.
107
Interview 2006.
Interview 2006.
108
Blackwater appellate brief, filed October 31, 2005.
Blackwater appellate brief, filed October 31, 2005.
109
Blackwater petition, filed December 19, 2005. Note: Order 17 was signed by Bremer on June 27, 2004, three months after the Fallujah ambush.
Blackwater petition, filed December 19, 2005. Note: Order 17 was signed by Bremer on June 27, 2004, three months after the Fallujah ambush.
110
Blackwater appellate brief, filed October 31, 2005.
Blackwater appellate brief, filed October 31, 2005.
111
Ibid.
Ibid.
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