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Exclusive: State Dept. E-Mails Say Blackwater Hurting U.S. in Iraq
October 25, 2007 12:37 PM
Internal State Department e-mails, obtained by the Blotter on ABCNews.com, show top officials were extensively briefed about repeated incidents of Blackwater security guards killing innocent civilians more than two years ago.
It was only in the last month that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice took action to review the activities of Blackwater and other private security companies in Iraq.
The assistant secretary of state who oversaw Blackwater and other contractors, Richard Griffin, resigned yesterday in the wake of a critical internal review.
THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS
- Photos 1st Photos of Blackwater Sept. 16 Incident
- Blotter Despite Blackwater, State Officials Get Promotions
- Blotter State Department Official Resigns in Wake of Blackwater Criticism
- Blotter Dem: Blackwater Dodged Millions in Taxes
- Blotter Blackwater: Shoot First, Face Questions Later, Committee Says
- Blotter Exclusive: First Images of Controversial Blackwater Incident
- Blotter Report: Private Military Contractors Hurt War Effort
- Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
Yet, the e-mails show that State Department officials had extensive knowledge of a growing problem in the summer of 2005, and complained about a lack of a compensation program for civilian victims.
"Obviously it is not pleasant meeting with these individuals with nothing more to offer than apologies, condolences and vague promises," wrote a State Department security officer based in al Hillah, Michael Bishop, to his superiors at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
Read the full text of the e-mail.
Other e-mails reveal how State Department officials in Washington maneuvered to stonewall inquiries by a reporter for the Los Angeles Times about a Blackwater incident in 2005 near the ABC News headquarters in Baghdad.
Some Diplomatic Security officials in Baghdad wanted the case of Blackwater guards outside the ABC News offices referred for criminal prosecution, officials tell ABCNews.com.
But the officials say State Department legal advisers told them "it was not feasible."
According to another internal e-mail, the legal jurisdiction was "hazy." The only recourse in cases of wrongful deaths is "dismissal."
Read the full text of the e-mail.
In testimony today before a House investigating committee, Secretary Rice called for legislation so that "appropriate action" could be taken against armed contractors involved in killings.
Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
October 25, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (69)
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It is enlightening to see these bubble up to the light of day somewhere. The fact that Congress can't review this and a hundred other reasons for the easy impeachments of bush and cheney means we only get it here folks. Thanks ABC now find another biggie for our AMUSEMENT!!!!!!
Posted by: daddy | Oct 25, 2007 1:24:25 PM
Expect more terrorists to infiltrate Iraq.
Posted by: kenny | Oct 25, 2007 1:49:02 PM
But then Rove saw how much they were donating to the Republican Party.... Oh well.
Posted by: Roy | Oct 25, 2007 1:58:31 PM
Too bad this wasn't brought up in the House Oversight meeting this morning with Rice!!!
Posted by: Robin | Oct 25, 2007 2:00:17 PM
Another ABC LIE.
Posted by: Joe | Oct 25, 2007 2:00:37 PM
It's only the beginning....follow the money.
Posted by: sue from texas | Oct 25, 2007 2:01:17 PM
Things have changed in this administration since the 2006 election.
Change for the good of this country.
Posted by: chuck | Oct 25, 2007 2:01:26 PM
I hear Turkey is addressing their Terrorist problem. I'm sure Bush will denounce the Terrorist activities that they are experiencing. Very similar to what Israel had to address with the Palistian terrorist. ..... Opps, but this time the terrorist are our allies... Guess they're can't be called terrorist since their on our side...... I know, let's call the freedom fighters. Yea, that's the ticket!!
Posted by: Roy | Oct 25, 2007 2:02:31 PM
There was a video that surfaced in 2005 showing blackwater guards firing on cars at random in a neighborhood, that was posted on several sites with music playing in the background, and the state department did nothing, neither did bush admin. this whole war is a big joke, the only reason its really going is to line the pockets of the Executives who hold contracts over there, and at the American Tax payers expense, and now BUSH wants more money for Iraq, Bush is going to purposely Bankrupt this country, thats the Bush/Cheney Goal !! IMPEACH them NOW !!!
Posted by: JETRANGER | Oct 25, 2007 2:02:51 PM
Bush's regime must be impeached!!! Now!!!
They don't know history. No nation can colonize another!!! That is exactly what we are doing and there will be NO stopping the "insurgents" - "terrorists" - they are the NATIVES of their own country. THINK People. WHAT would you be doing if another country occupies the U.S.???
Posted by: rudyT | Oct 25, 2007 2:10:54 PM
Great. Not only does our government allow these contractors to kill innocent civilians without being prosecuted, but they don't even follow through on financial compensation. What more evidence do the Iraqi people need that we hold them in contempt and did not invade Iraq for their benefit? No wonder the ranks of terrorists are swelling in Iraq and around the world. This administration has already destroyed out country's reputation and made us all less safe, and now they want to make it infinitely worse by attacking Iran. Is this a democracy or are we just going to roll over and let them ruin us? Vote! Impeach! Protest! Whatever it takes!
Posted by: jock59801 | Oct 25, 2007 2:16:48 PM
Bush, Cheney, and Rice should be in jail. These people are criminals! The lies, the cover ups, the gross negligence...the list is SO long now I can hardly keep track! IMPEACHMENT seems like a minor punishment for these folks. Prison time is warranted.
Posted by: Cecily Friday | Oct 25, 2007 2:35:09 PM
I've said it before and will keep saying it till after the next election--IMPEACH Bush and his cronies!!
Posted by: ReElectNoOne | Oct 25, 2007 2:37:41 PM
There are issues within the United States as GREAT as this that will never see the light of day but have been brought before the public and the public did not react.
Posted by: Williamwfh | Oct 25, 2007 2:38:59 PM
Blackwater has given the troops serving there a black-eye (Iraqi's don't distinguish contractors from troops)...when noone is held accountable for Iraqi civilian deaths, any goodwill the US had garnered over there has all but gone now...I imagine if they toppled a statue of George Bush in some public square (like Saddam from just 4 years ago), Iraqi's would be cheering and beating it with a shoe...
Posted by: HadEnough | Oct 25, 2007 2:48:24 PM
why is it that this country that keeps being called a "Christian" country cannot understand the simple law of "sowing and reaping?" ...
Posted by: Jackson | Oct 25, 2007 2:50:39 PM
Don't forget about Colin Powell at the UN when he was in front of the world, literally, with his maps and pointer pointing to sites that housed the so called weapons of mass destruction. Now... if they only said "targets of mass destruction" it would have been honest.
Posted by: John | Oct 25, 2007 2:57:20 PM
IMPEACH BUSH AND CHENEY! Their vile administration has made America less secure because their random madness and mayhem is the best jihadist recruiting tool ever devised. Their assault on our constitutional rights are unprecedented - notwithstanding the support by all the lilly liver cowards who have allowed themselves to become scared half to death. The war profiteering is staggering!!! Jail to the Chief! And his little dog, Cheney!
Posted by: Phil P. | Oct 25, 2007 2:58:49 PM
Nice to know she finally got her head out of the sand! We have known that Bush's private army is out of control and have for a long time. Just go to You Tube and watch them being used as snipers. What security guard company are used as snipers? Why aren't the Marines doing their job? After all, it is THEIR job!
Posted by: cantcu | Oct 25, 2007 3:00:50 PM
Just what does the Bush Administration stand for? It is clear they only care about the republican party and its financial backers. How can Bush speak so righteously about the loss of innocent American lives at the hands of terrorists and then be so callous about the loss of innocent Iraqi's lives at the hands of our soldiers and hired mercenaries? This administration has no honor and has damaged America more than any administration ever by a huge margin.
Posted by: Sean | Oct 25, 2007 3:06:35 PM
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