Blackwater to Get Out of Private Security Biz
Say it ain’t so, Erik Prince! Via Josh Marshall, Blackwater is hanging up its spurs as a private security company. Too much unprovoked Baghdad killing?
“„Blackwater Worldwide said Monday that it planned a shift away from the security contracting business that earned it millions of dollars and made it a flash point in the debate over the use of security contractors in war zones.
“„“The experience we’ve had would certainly be a disincentive to any other companies that want to step in and put their entire business at risk,” company founder and CEO Erik Prince told The Associated Press during a daylong visit to the company’s North Carolina compound.
“„Blackwater executives say they have unfairly become a symbol for all contractors in Iraq and thus the company is a target for those opposed to the war. It will continue guarding U.S. officials in Iraq but its future will be focused on training, aviation and logistics.
“„“Security was not part of the master plan, ever,” company president Gary Jackson said.
I’ll wait for Jeremy Scahill on this, but I’m pretty sure that’s a lie.
