Blackwater...involved in sneak raids in Afghanistan & Iraq! Denial! Denial! Denial!

CIA thick in intrigues!

On Thursday, the New York Times published a report on their website alleging that Blackwater security guards were actively involved in clandestine CIA raids in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A representative at the company - now professionally known in industry circles as Xe Services - stated for the record that Blackwater was never under contracct with the CIA or Special Forces in those worn-torn countries.

"Any allegation to the contrary would be false," Mark Corallo asserted in no uncertain terms on behalf of Xe Services.

The key words are "under contract".

It is quite possible that Blackwater security guards were enlisted on the sly on a crisis-by-crisis basis.

In fact, one news organization was quick to point out that the roles and responsibilities of security officers and special forces often became blurred (or shifted into higher gear) in the battlefield setting at a moment's notice out of necessity.

It is alleged that Blackwater security officers were drawn in by the powers-that-be to take advantage of their high-level skills and their familiarity with the "territory".

The CIA has remained mum to date on the issue.

Over the past year or so - I reported on a couple of  Blackwater incidents (currently under investigation) - which resulted in the deaths of innocent citizens in the streets of Iraq.

Post::  10/29/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/10/blackwatercourt-hearing-for-trigger.html

Post:  10/24/07

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/10/blackwatertrigger-happy-security-for.html


In view of the foregoing, it's obvious why  Blackwater owners changed their company name to Xe Services.

To distance themselves from their prior image - as cold-blooded mercenaries -  of course!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Blackwater...court hearing for trigger-happy defense contractor closed! Intrigues and top secrets...

If you recall, last year Blackwater (an outfit that was contracted to handle security on behalf of the U.S. Government overseas in Iraq & elsewhere) employees were accused of engaging in inappropiate open fire in the streets of Iraq (without provocation) which resulted in the death of several innocent pedestrians.

I reported on the incident.

Post:  10/24/07

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/10/blackwatertrigger-happy-security-for.html

Although the wheels of justice initially turned slowly in respect to the prosecution of the Blackwater employees responsible for the unfortunate incident, a preliminary hearing was finally placed on calendar in recent days.

However, keen observers on the sidelines - and the press in particular - are crying foul because Judge Ricardo Urbina -  who is presiding over the case-  has chosen to conduct the proceedings behind closed doors at the courthouse.

In defense of the decision to conduct the hearings out of the glare of the searing spotlight, Urbina has argued that an intrusive media machine (at this early stage of the probe) would negatively impact witnesses and potential jurors - and subsequently - the defendants' right to a fair trial on the legal issues ripe for adjudication.

Some assert that the Judge's actions are extreme and unjustifiable and - in sum - are in conflict with the Supreme Court's stand that courtrooms be open (and the proceedings, thus, transparent) in the absence of extraordinary circumstances which warrant closed-door sessions.

The court is seeking to determine if government prosecutors  illegally citied defendant statements which were supposed to be remain confidential because they were utttered under the promise of immunity.

Although, Justices in the Supreme Court (Warren Berger, for instance) have dictated ways to minimize the effect of potentially-damaging publicity during the course of a sensational high-profile trial such as the Blackwater proceeding, lawyers appear to favor a "no access" route as a precaution to prevent any muddying of a potential jury pool.

On the other side of the gallery, lawyers stress that a fair trial can be had without the need for hearings of a questionable clandestine nature, provided the court takes extreme care and exercises proper discretion.

"The Judge has the option to close sessions that may be potentially sensitive," one argued, "with the provisio that transcripts will be released later."

Also, potential jurors may be screened, to ensure that those with fixed opinions (and a jaundiced view) are weeded out.

Blanket secrecy, to most - os not only Un-American - but flies in the face of the true pursuit of Justice.

Frankly, I am of the opinion that the decision to go "private" may be rooted in more scurrilous soil.

Because Blackwater guards were in the employ of the government, in essence, I surmise that there will be a deceitful effort behind closed doors to seek a dismissal of the charges on the grounds that the defendants were on a top secret mission and merely carrying out their assignment when the innocent victims sauntered into the fray by chance.

Unless the statements (allegedly protected by a grant of immunity) reveal a shocking disregard for procedure and/or a cavalier devil-may-care attitude about collateral damage and the casualities of war, the Blackwater defendants may end up in the clear.

Shutter the thought!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Blackwater...5 security guards indicted after 17 Iraqis dead!

Late Thursday, prosecutors secured an indictment against 5 security guards (a 6th defendant is still negotiating a plea bargain) arising from a shooting which took place in Baghdad in September (2007) which left 17 Iraqis dead.

On the heels of that shocking incident, an anti-American battle cry went up around the country, and has not subsided as of yet.

Six guards have been under investigation since a squadron of armed Blackwater "private" contractors (Government issue!) open fire in a busy intersection .

Although the Blackwater employees alleged they were ambushed in the streets, witnesses testified that the shooting was unprovoked.

I reported on this incident in a post last fall.

Post: 10/24/2007

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/10/blackwatertrigger-happy-security-for.html

The indictment was placed under seal until it could be made public.

Although the exact charges were not revealed, it is expected that the guards will surrender as early as Monday, to face the allegations.