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 Support The DrudgeReport; Visit Our Advertisers  Blackwater statement on Indictment o Five Former Contractors Mon Dec 8 2008 13:51:02 ET "It bears emphasis that today's indictment is very narrow in its allegations. Six individual Blackwater guards have been charged with unjustified shootings on September 16, 2007, not the entire Blackwater organization in Baghdad. There were 19 Blackwater guards on the Raven 23 team that day at Nisour Square. Most acted professionally, responsibly, and honorably. Indeed this indictment should not be read as an accusation against any of those brave men and women who risk their lives as Blackwater security contractors."?? - Jeffrey A. Taylor, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia ? ?? Blackwater statement on Indictment Five Former Contractors ? Blackwater security professionals operate according to strict rules for use of force issued by the U.S. Government. Blackwater deploys teams that, like all of the individuals involved in the September 16 incident, consist of experienced U.S. military and law enforcement veterans.On top of their military and law enforcement training and experience, these individuals receive extensive additional training to prepare them to protect American diplomats working in Iraq. This training includes instruction in the rules for use of force established and imposed by the U.S. Government. ? Guided by that experience and the tight controls outlined in their contracts with the U.S. Department of State, Blackwater's security professionals protect American diplomats in an environment where suicide bombers use cars as weapons, roadside debris conceals improvised explosive devices, and insurgents disguise themselves in law enforcement uniforms.?? ? Blackwater does not have access to all of the information gathered by federal investigators.? Based on the information available to us, we understand that these individuals acted within the rules set forth for them by the government and that no criminal violations occurred. It is important to note that these men are presumed innocent, that an indictment is only the first step in the judicial process, and that these men have not been convicted of anything.? If, however, it is determined that an individual acted improperly, then Blackwater supports holding that person accountable.? But in the interest of due process, it is too early to reach any conclusion before the legal proceedings have run their course.? ? This has been Blackwater's consistent position throughout the U.S. government's investigation, and we have offered investigators our complete cooperation. As noted by the Department of Justice during its press conference, Blackwater as a company has not been charged with any crimes, and neither have any of the hundreds of other Blackwater professionals serving in Iraq. Yet, because of misguided assumptions and generalizations that surrounded this unfortunate incident, our work has been mischaracterized and all of our personnel unfairly maligned.? We have confidence that the judicial system will determine what actually happened, and look forward to examining the incident ourselves based on a full factual picture. ? Blackwater Statement on Plea Deal of Individual Former Contractor ? Blackwater is extremely disappointed and surprised to learn that an individual independent contractor has said he committed wrongdoing related to his activities on September 16, 2007. If true, at the time of the incident and in the months that followed, this individual gave false information to the company to conceal that behavior. Both the conduct itself and misleading Blackwater after the fact would violate the high standards of conduct required of each Blackwater independent contractor.? ? This development does not change our support for those who maintain that they acted appropriately in response to a perceived threat. Blackwater does not have access to all of the information gathered by investigators.? Based on the information available to us, however, we understand that these individuals acted within the rules set forth for them by the government and that no criminal violations occurred. |
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