Blackwater takes issue with story

Blackwater takes issue with story
January 20, 2008

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS article about maintenance made to Blackwater vehicles failed to mention several critical points ("Repairs could snag Blackwater probe: Evidence lost from convoy vehicles in Baghdad shooting," Page A9, Jan. 13).

First, the majority of vehicles used by Blackwater under our contract to protect and defend US government officials are owned by the US government. Blackwater cannot repair, modify, or add to these vehicles without direction from the government to do so.

The alterations to the vehicles in question were made before any outside investigations were launched. And they were initiated after the completion of the State Department's own incident review.

Further, these changes were made to all vehicles in expectation of the all-too-frequent attacks by insurgents, not just to the vehicles involved in the Sept. 16 incident. The vehicles being used were easily identifiable by color and were painted as a precautionary measure in case they were being targeted.

Well-maintained vehicles are essential in supporting Blackwater's defensive mission. At least 10 Blackwater professionals have been killed or maimed in vehicle attacks. Had the company been asked to refrain from altering the appearance of any of the vehicles in question, we would have agreed. Blackwater would like to see accurate results of investigations as much as anyone else.

ANNE E. TYRRELL
Director of public affairs
Blackwater Worldwide
Moyock, N.C.


Article at: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2008/01/20/blackwater_takes_issue_with_story/



uhc comment: This gem was in the LTTE mailbag today. :rofl:

The nerve of those asswipes!

You know, some sort of typically evil marketing scheme to get winning contestants and Blackwater mercenary goons in collusion to boost public awareness/acceptance of the corporate, right wing outfit that will eventually be used against U.S. citizens...so by that point, from the "TV entertainment," {a la "COPS"} the public mind will be all geared up for watching Blackwater goons kick down doors and manhandle those who are "unpatriotic." lol ...People will get to "vote" for which forms of torture their favorite jackbooted Blackwater thugs will implement against those "know it alls."