Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:14:12 GMT
New disturbing charges have emerged against XE, the
infamous private security firm formerly known as
Blackwater Worldwide, whose operations came under
spotlight after its 2007 carnage in Baghdad.
According to a report by MSNBC and based on alleged
sworn declarations by two Blackwater employees in
federal court, the firm used child prostitutes at its
compound in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone.
The declarations added Iraqi minors got involve in
sexual acts with Blackwater members in exchange for one
dollar and Erik Prince, the firm's owner, "failed to
stop the ongoing use of prostitutes, including child
prostitutes, by his men."
Based on other statements, the firm was involved in
another sex scandal; "Prince's North Carolina operations
had an ongoing wife-swapping and sex ring, which was
participated in by many of Mr. Prince's top executives."
The two employees also alleged that Prince "views
himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating
Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe," The
Nation reported.
Prince also allegedly forced health professional to
endorse the redeployment of those Blackwater members who
had been mental problems, such as excessive drinking and
drug abuse.
Other charges against the firm include arms smuggling,
money laundering and tax evasion.
The criminal activities of the firm first came under
scrutiny after a group of the firm's members who were
tasked to guard US diplomats in Iraq opened fire on
civilians in Baghdad on September 2007, killing 17
people.
According to federal contract data obtained by The
Nation, the Obama administration has recently extended a
contract with Blackwater for more than $20 million for
"security services" in Iraq.
SB/MD