As someone who has reported extensively on Blackwater and private military contractors, I know quite well that there are ethical issues and conduct by security-for-hire firms in Iraq and Afghanistan that merit close scrutiny. That, however, does not excuse The New York Times’ A1 story today which alleges that Blackwater bribed Iraqi officials to silence criticism following a September 2007 incident where the firm was responsible for killing 17 Iraqi civilians.
The New York Times’ entire report is based on the allegations of two anonymous, disgruntled ex-employees. We get accounts such as this one, regarding former CIA counterterrorism chief and Blackwater employee Cofer Black:
According to former Blackwater officials, Mr. Black was furious when he learned that the payoff money was being funneled into Iraq … Mr. Black and Robert Richer, who had also joined Blackwater after a C.I.A. career, separately confronted Mr. Prince with their concerns about the plan, one former Blackwater executive said.
To be fair to the Times Black and a number of Blackwater employees did not return the Times’ calls — but that’s understandable given the shabby treatment the company has received by the Times in the past. Today, Cofer Black tells Commentary.
I never confronted Erik Prince or any other Blackwater official regarding any allegations of bribing Iraqi officials and was unaware of any plot or guidance for Blackwater to bribe Iraqi officials.
While Blackwater and private military contractors no doubt deserve a high degree of press scrutiny, it doesn’t excuse the shoddy coverage they receive. It’s very difficult to believe The New York Times would run frontpage accusations that the UN or a left-leaning organizations committed a federal crime based solely on the word of two anonymous ex-employees.
