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Hidden with code "Submitted as Feature" |
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News :: Iraq |
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Four "civilians" killed in Iraq were US mercenaries. |
Current rating: 0 |
by Sascha Meinrath
Email: sascha (nospam) ucimc.org (unverified!) |
07 Apr 2004
Modified: 11:41:01 AM |
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While the mainstream press continues to claim that the U.S. citizens killed in Iraq were "civilians" -- their company was actually hired to protect Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator in Iraq. Why the imporant fact that they were hired as mercenaries is being obfuscated by U.S. press remains an open question. However, as the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate, the continuing misinformation being reported to the American people raises serious concerns about the dominant press' persistent failure to report important information to the general public. |
On Wednesday, March 31, 2004 four U.S. citizens were killed in Iraq: Scott Helvenston, 38, a Navy veteran; Jerko "Jerry" Zovko, 32, and Michael Teague, 38, all Army veterans; and Wesley Batalona, 48, a former Army Ranger. The mainstream press reported these four men to be "civilians" however, this oversimplification of their roles in Iraq is greatly misleading to the public.
All four men were hired through Blackwell Security Consulting. Blackwell provides, "Mobile Security Teams" that "are comprised of former operators primarily from the ranks of the US special operations and intelligence communities. Blackwater Mobile Security Teams stand ready to be deployed around the world with little notice in support of US national security objectives, private or foreign interests." Blackwell Security Consulting provides armed personnel for hire around the world -- positions colloquially known as "mercenaries."
According to Blackwell Security Consulting assistant training director Chris Epperson, the company provides protection to Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator in Iraq. As "hired guns" armed to protect military personnel, these four men's jobs put them directly in harm's way in their role to "support US national security objectives." However, this information continues to be downplayed or ignored in almost all press accounts. |
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