Blackwater aided by PR giant

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - Public relations giant Burson-Marsteller has vast experience steering companies through tough times. But there's a limit to how much it can help Blackwater USA, a new client that's been battered by negative publicity.

The State Department, which pays Blackwater hundreds of millions of dollars to protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq, has stringent rules barring the private security contractor from discussing with the media the details of its work, according to those familiar with the arrangement.

Under those limitations, it's difficult to repair a corporate image, said one official close to Blackwater.

The department allows little room for error. On Sept. 16, Blackwater guards were involved in a shooting in Baghdad that left 13 Iraqis dead. Blackwater issued a statement to reporters saying its personnel acted lawfully and appropriately to a "hostile attack" from "armed enemies."

That statement was not cleared first with State officials, a move that prompted complaints from the department because the statement pre-empted official inquiries into the incident. The Iraqis have maintained the Blackwater guards opened fire without provocation.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071005/ap_on_go_co/blackwater

and create the sectarian violence. War is good for them.

I love the company she keeps around her. Literally.

http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2007/10/05/780659.html&cookieattempt=1




"They need to help people understand that as you attack Blackwater, you're really attacking soldiers in a sense," Phillips said. "I think that's a message that would be helpful."



Not a mercinary, but a soldier? Uh huh... you can't really have it both ways!