Given this company’s track record, which includes the killing of innocent men, women and children, it would be disastrous to award such a large contract to Blackwater/Xe Services. To do so would undermine the hard work of our military and diplomatic corps and could be used as a propaganda tool by our enemies.
Blackwater/Xe Services has a long history of excessive use of force against civilians. According to incident reports obtained by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, between 2005 and 2007 the company was involved in 163 “escalation of force” incidents in which its forces fired first. Not to mention that the company’s employees continue to face allegations of wrongdoing, including other forms of criminal activity such as fraud and weapons trafficking.
The Department of Justice has announced that it will continue to prosecute five Blackwater/Xe Services guards accused of shooting seventeen Iraqi civilians in Baghdad’s Nisour Square in September 2007. It has also recently been reported that the Department of Justice is investigating whether Blackwater attempted to bribe Iraqi officials in the wake of the Nisour Square shooting. Given these ongoing probes into Blackwater/Xe Service’s past performance, it’s simply unconscionable that the Department of Defense would consider the company for such an important role as training the ANP.
Blackwater/Xe Services’ long pattern of irresponsible behavior has resulted in civilian deaths and has jeopardized our mission and the safety of U.S. troops and diplomatic personnel worldwide. The Iraqi government has not only refused the company an operating license, but in early February 2010, it also took the extraordinary step of ordering 250 current or former employees of the company out of the country. No company that provokes such animosity from host nations should represent the United States in Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world. It is time for the U.S. government to turn its back on the company formerly known as Blackwater and put the success of our men and women serving in Afghanistan front and center.
Rep. James Moran (D) is Virginia’s 8th Congressional District Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.
This week, a journalist in Los Angeles was shot with a projectile fired by police while covering a protest—clearly identifiable as press, simply doing their job. It’s the latest in
By Lisa Sinrod Paragon Founders Row, a seven-screen state of the art cinema at the intersection of West Broad and North West Streets in Falls Church, opens June 13. Paragon
By Democracy Falls Church Democracy Falls Church, a group of citizens brought together by deeply felt concerns about the actions and policies of the Trump administration, is sponsoring a community
The Mustangs made history by reaching the State Semifinals for the first time ever, but their journey came to a heartbreaking end. Trailing by three with just 5 minutes remaining,
Legitimate news organizations need grass roots support like never before, and that includes your Falls Church News-Press. For more than 33 years, your News-Press has kept its readers informed and enlightened. We can’t continue without the support of our readers. This means YOU! Please step up in these challenging times to support the news source you are reading right now!
No Billion Dollar Contract for Blackwater
James Moran
I am profoundly concerned about recent news that Xe Services – formerly known as Blackwater – is being considered for a new U.S. government contract worth as much as $1 billion for the training of the Afghan National Police (ANP).
Given this company’s track record, which includes the killing of innocent men, women and children, it would be disastrous to award such a large contract to Blackwater/Xe Services. To do so would undermine the hard work of our military and diplomatic corps and could be used as a propaganda tool by our enemies.
Blackwater/Xe Services has a long history of excessive use of force against civilians. According to incident reports obtained by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, between 2005 and 2007 the company was involved in 163 “escalation of force” incidents in which its forces fired first. Not to mention that the company’s employees continue to face allegations of wrongdoing, including other forms of criminal activity such as fraud and weapons trafficking.
The Department of Justice has announced that it will continue to prosecute five Blackwater/Xe Services guards accused of shooting seventeen Iraqi civilians in Baghdad’s Nisour Square in September 2007. It has also recently been reported that the Department of Justice is investigating whether Blackwater attempted to bribe Iraqi officials in the wake of the Nisour Square shooting. Given these ongoing probes into Blackwater/Xe Service’s past performance, it’s simply unconscionable that the Department of Defense would consider the company for such an important role as training the ANP.
Blackwater/Xe Services’ long pattern of irresponsible behavior has resulted in civilian deaths and has jeopardized our mission and the safety of U.S. troops and diplomatic personnel worldwide. The Iraqi government has not only refused the company an operating license, but in early February 2010, it also took the extraordinary step of ordering 250 current or former employees of the company out of the country. No company that provokes such animosity from host nations should represent the United States in Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world. It is time for the U.S. government to turn its back on the company formerly known as Blackwater and put the success of our men and women serving in Afghanistan front and center.
Rep. James Moran (D) is Virginia’s 8th Congressional District Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Recent News
We Must Stand Up for the Free Press—Now More Than Ever
This week, a journalist in Los Angeles was shot with a projectile fired by police while covering a protest—clearly identifiable
The Little City’s Movie Theater Is Finally Here, Opening June 13
By Lisa Sinrod Paragon Founders Row, a seven-screen state of the art cinema at the intersection of West Broad and
Falls Church Citizens to Hold ‘No Kings’ Protest June 14
By Democracy Falls Church Democracy Falls Church, a group of citizens brought together by deeply felt concerns about the actions
Meridian Boys Lax Falls in Overtime After Dramatic Comeback
The Mustangs made history by reaching the State Semifinals for the first time ever, but their journey came to a
Sears-Backed PAC Took Donations from Nazi Reenactor Who Praised Hitler’s Military
VIRGINIA – New reporting from Forward reveals that former Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears received campaign donations from Richard Iott, a
Meridian Boys Soccer Survives Tabb, Advances to State Semifinals
The run to a State championship began on Monday night for the Meridian High School boys’ soccer team, after beating
Stories that may interest you
We Must Stand Up for the Free Press—Now More Than Ever
This week, a journalist in Los Angeles was shot with a projectile fired by police while covering a protest—clearly identifiable as press, simply doing their job. It’s the latest in
The Little City’s Movie Theater Is Finally Here, Opening June 13
By Lisa Sinrod Paragon Founders Row, a seven-screen state of the art cinema at the intersection of West Broad and North West Streets in Falls Church, opens June 13. Paragon
Falls Church Citizens to Hold ‘No Kings’ Protest June 14
By Democracy Falls Church Democracy Falls Church, a group of citizens brought together by deeply felt concerns about the actions and policies of the Trump administration, is sponsoring a community
Meridian Boys Lax Falls in Overtime After Dramatic Comeback
The Mustangs made history by reaching the State Semifinals for the first time ever, but their journey came to a heartbreaking end. Trailing by three with just 5 minutes remaining,