Time for a mercenary thread.

[bobthedrummer]

The mercenaries are not civilian contractors, not security guards, not patriots or freedom fighters or advisors nor any other euphemistic/jingoistic terms used by the media or their employers.

They are mercenaries, employees of privately owned military companies.
Many of them are combat veterans or former law-enforcement officers.
The commonality is that whatever skills and training they have is a commodity in high demand, world-wide.

They are whores and pimps imo(no offense meant to sex industry workers).

The United Nation's Commission on Human Rights has sought to condemn their use internationally.

So has the Campaign Against Arms Trade.
http://www.caat.org.uk/information/issues/mercenaries.php

Some mercenaries have been neo-nazis and white supremicists, like in the case of Dominica and Grenada.
http://www.thegrenadarevolutiononline.com/page17a.html

The administration of George W. Bush, aka The War President, is using mercenaries worldwide, but especially in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is linkage to political contributions and awarded mercenary work.
http://www.publicintegrity.org/wow/resources.aspx?act=contrib

A mercenary pilot/bomber earns $13-15,000 per month plus insurance benefits. The mercenaries make a killing, it is hugely profitable work.
http://www.theexperiment.org/articles.php?news_id=1884

The value of the awarded mercenary contracts of the George W. Bush/War President administration in Afghanistan and Iraq are immense, as is all hazardous work.
http://www.publicintegrity.org/wow/resources.aspx?act=total

Let's discuss the use of mercenaries by the administration of George W. Bush aka The War President. I think it is time for a mercenary thread, don't you?

[Chicago Democrat]

1. Mercenaries are like Whores with Guns Without Rules! (Grrr)

:(

[burrowowl]

2. Upon reading many replies from

so-called DUers, they don't seem to know what a mercenary is, that mercenaries have been held in contempt from time immoriable, that mercenary is a pejorative term, that our tax $s (not corp dollars, they do not pay taxes (they did under Eisenhower, believe it or not)) are paying for CORPORATE armies whilest cheating our own national army, etc.
This is all beyond my ken or how corps screwed American public education.
I'm askance!

[bobthedrummer]

3. This thread can serve as an educational one.

Hopefully it will be just that. That is my intent.

[izzie]

7. I do think tax money is paying for them and also.....

Their have always been men that liked this type of life, and you would run into them in the service. My husband talked about them.He was a career service man. War is a way a life and they like it.Many do not like to give that life up even after they leave the service. We also have men that like to run around in the woods doing the same thing. I do get sick of hearing that they are brave and a hero. They are not.They kill for money and will hire out to any one with the cash.

[bobthedrummer]

4. The use of mercenaries=the use of terrorists, doesn't it?

Isn't that the prevalent view in the civilized world?

[Djinn]

5. atleast the terrorist beleive in something

it might be something vile and insane but to my mind to choose to become a paid killer for hire puts you in a special class of scum.

In the army there is atleast the illusion that "for my country" applies - although it's usually more like "for the rich folk of my country" not so with mercenaries - armies also have rules of engagement - not so with mercenaries.

If you really like blowing shit up, torturing and killing people I'd suggest staying under the banner of a nation's army where we can (kinda) keep an eye on you.

[izzie]

9. Right on.

Or how I think

[izzie]

8. I am not sure, terrorist fight for a ideal.

Not that it may be right or wrong but they will give up every thing for it. The other sells them self for cash.

[bobthedrummer]

6. You can take a look at how these companies market themselves

and what types of products and services they offer for yourself on the Internet.
Vinnell Corp.
SAIC
Military Professional Resources, Inc.
Air Scan
Omega Training Group
Eagle Group
Sandline International
Life Guard
Saracen

I was surprised at how many there are, and it's a growth industry right now.

[seemslikeadream]

11. UK hub of mercenary gun – running

As foiled coup saga swirls, report says...
Mirror Reporter

AS the saga surrounding the capture of 67 terrorists at the Harare International Airport on Sunday evening dramatically unravels, a UK-based research institute has established that the British government is abetting the trafficking of small arms into conflict zones in Africa.

The institute, Africa Strategy, says about 142 mercenary companies based in Britain – including Sandline International, which succeeded the notorious Executive Outcomes that employed some former members of the 32 Commando of the apartheid South African defence forces captured in Harare – are allegedly using end user certificates from the British government in the arms trafficking. Executive Outcomes was set up in 1993 by Tony Buckingham and Simon Mann and has worked in Asia, Africa and South America. Most of its personnel were hired from South Africa.

The Africa Strategy research showed that most of the UK-based mercenary companies imported the arms into the country from the former Yugoslavia and other Eastern European states before shipping them to conflict zones in Africa and Asia.

“We looked at the figures and discovered that the production of new arms had fallen by over 80 percent in 2003 . . . 90 percent of the arms were now exported into Britain and most of the companies use end-user certificates from the British government,” the report says.

The British mercenary companies, along with Israeli and American arms dealers, supply arms to Sudan’s SPLA, which is waging a war against the Islamic government of Omar al Bashir, Uganda, Morocco, Pakistan, Egypt, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, among others.

http://www.africaonline.co.zw/mirror/stage/archive/040314/national28983.html




Blackwater Security Consulting won a $35.7 million contract to train over 10,000 soldiers from several states in the U.S. in the art of 'force protection,' according to Mother Jones magazine. They also hire mercenaries from South Africa and other countries as well, and the pay in Iraq is $1,000 per day. Wonder how that makes our soldiers feel, who make barely over that each month?

[seemslikeadream]

13. The Dogs of War Go Corporate

The London News Review, March 19, 2004

Peter W. Singer, National Security Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies


One is Global Risks, reported to have 100 former British SAS troopers, 500 former Nepalese Ghurkas and 500 ex-Fijian soldiers working on the ground in Iraq. This one company has the sixth largest troop contingent in the coalition. Thus, President Bush's international effort has finally come to pass, except to be completely honest he might want to rename it the "Coalition of the Billing".

In a world where we police even the fat content of cookies, perhaps what is most surprising is that this industry, so central to national and global security, is completely unregulated. No international laws apply. National laws are little better, with the majority of states, including Britain, having none that fully controls the firms.


Some firms have worked for democracies, the UN and even environmental groups, while others have prospered at the other end of the marketplace, working for dictators, drug cartels and terrorist-linked groups. Indeed, Logo illustrates the very problem of firms determining reputable clients for themselves. Who was the legitimate player to choose, the dodgy coup plotters or the dictator who took power by killing his uncle? Legitimacy is hard enough to determine in international politics, and even more difficult when millions in potential profits comes into play.

http://www.brookings.edu/views/op-ed/fellows/singer20040319.htm

73. Of the companies offering security services and military assistance and advice on the globalized world market, mention should be made of Defence Systems Limited (DSL), which provides security to several mining and oil companies, Saladin Security; Control Risks Group; Braddock, Dunn and McDonald Inc. (BDM) headed by a former United States Secretary of Defense and headquartered in McLean, Virginia; Integrated Security Systems; Booz Allen and Hamilton, which trains the Saudi military forces; Vinnell Corporation, with Viet Nam war experience; O'Gara Protective Services; Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC); and Military Professional Resources Incorporated (MPRI), with headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, which trained the Croatian army in 1995 and is currently training the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. These companies may affect the exercise of sovereignty in the countries in which they operate, create resentment among the inhabitants and contribute to impunity for the crimes committed by the mercenaries they hire.

http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/0811fcbd0b9f6bd58025667300306dea/ab78acfb0828505780256737003f82a4?OpenDocument#IV

[seemslikeadream]

15. The U.S. government assumes no responsibility

Security Companies Doing Business in Iraq

The U.S. government assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms whose names appear on the list.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AD Consultancy

Headquarters:
ADC House
P.O. Box 153
Sutton, Surrey SM3 9WF
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: www.adconsultancy.com
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
Ian Grealey
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Risk and threat assessment, close protection teams/bodyguards, asset protection, secure commodity escort, travel and escort security, residential and premises security, aviation security, maritime security, oil and gas industry security, surveillance and counter surveillance.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AKE Limited

Headquarters:
Mortimer House
Holmer Road
Hereford HR4 9TA
UK
Tel: <44> (0) 1432 267111
Fax: <44> (0) 1432 350227
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.akegroup.com

Contact in Iraq:
Peter Hornett
Tel: <44> (0) 7739 094598
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Hostile regions training, reduced personal insurance rates, the services of security risk specialists, location security audits, personal security reviews, body armor, medical audits, equipment, assistance and evacuation; political, security, intelligence and cultural briefings, subscription-based online secure database of security, risk and intelligence information, including twice-weekly Iraq security briefings.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ArmorGroup

Headquarters:
25 Buckingham Gate
London
SW1E 6LD
Tel: <44> (20) 7808-5800
Fax: <44> (20) 7233-7434
Email: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
John Farr, MBE
Country Manager
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Description of services:
ArmorGroup operates in 40 countries worldwide and is a leading international risk management, security services, mine action, and information service provider. In Iraq we currently have offices in Mosul, Baghdad, and Basra, and on-going operations throughout the country. They provide major corporate and government clients in Iraq with risk assessment and management, close protection, manned guarding, technical security systems, and mine action services (mine clearing and unexploded ordnance disposal). ArmorGroup supports the Joint US/UK Government’s Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, and subscribes to the Code of Conduct of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. ArmorGroup is a United Nations approved provider, and is ISO 9001:2000 certified. ArmorGroup's Baghdad office is not able to deal with job applications. All applications must be accompanied by a current CV/resume and sent to: [e-mail] (US residents), or [e-mail] (UK residents and other nationalities).



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Control Risks Group

Headquarters:
83 Victoria Street
London SW1H OHW
United Kingdom
Tel: <44> (20) 722 1552
Fax: <44> (20) 7222 2296
Website: www.crg.com
Email: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
James Blount, Country Manager
Tel: [phone] (NY number but person is located in Iraq)
Thuraya: [phone]
Email: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Control risk is a leading international business risk consultancy with 28 years experience of supporting more than 5,300 clients in over 130 countries. They currently have an office in Baghdad providing major governmental and corporate clients with a range of services, including security management, discreet armed protection, and information support.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Custer Battles

Headquarters:
3959 Pender Drive
Suite 109
Fairfax, VA 22050
Tel: <1> 703-385-1121
Fax: <1> 703-385-2177
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.custerbattles.com

Contact in Iraq:
Brig. General Charles Baumann, Director
Tel: <1> 914-360-9223
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Security services, life supports, construction, logistics, transportation, and personal security details.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Diligence Middle East

Headquarters:
1275 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: <1> 202-659-6210
Fax: <1> 202-659-6210
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.diligencellc.com

Contact in Iraq:
Ken Josey, Country Manager
Tel: <1> 914-822-9746 (NY number rings in Baghdad)
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Diligence Middle East is the Middle East subsidiary of Diligence LLC, a global information and security services firm. In Iraq, Diligence provides risk advisory consulting, competitive due diligence, close protection, site security, and security escort services for multiple international clients and CPA contractors.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erinys Iraq Limited

Headquarters:
16 Zukak 18
601 Emerat Mahla
Al-Mansour
Baghdad, Iraq
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.erinysinternationa.com

Contact in Iraq:
Michael Hutchings
Tel: [phone] or [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Expatriate and Iraqi security services supported by nationwide radio and voice/data satellite communications. Services include managed guard forces, personal protection services, convoy protection, key point, and area security. Company is structured in 3 regions and 12 sectors with expatriate managed offices in each sector.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Genric

Headquarters:
Hereford House
East Street
Hereford, UK HR1 2LU
Tel: <44> 1432 379083
Fax: <44> 1432 370786
Website: www.genric.co.uk
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
Nick Duggan
Tel: <44> 7919 478484 or <965> 904-8217/8257
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Genric provides global security solutions to corporations in the form of risk assessments, plans and policies for kidnapping, evacuation, crisis management and general security guidelines, physical provision of armed escort teams for personnel and convoys, security managers, occupational health, Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM), defensive driving, personal, asset and property protection. Offices in the UK, Slovakia, Serbia and the Philippines. A secure facility has been established outside Basra, which provides: armed site security 24/7, air con accommodation, air con offices, 4x4 armored and non-armored vehicle hire or purchase, service and parts center, generation hire or purchase, communications.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Global Risk Strategies
Headquarters:
6 Stratton Street
London W1J 8LD
United Kingdom
Tel: <44> (20) 7491 7492
Fax: <44> (20) 7491
Website: www.globalrsl.com
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
Damian Perl, Charlie Andrews, Nick Arnold
Tel: [phone] (NY number but person is located in Iraq)
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Working together with the U.S. government, United Nations, and key commercial clients to provide significant security, logistics and facilitation services in post conflict Iraq. A country wide network of specialist teams, communications and logistics assets have been established, headquarted in Baghdad, to assist with immediate humanitarian aid and reconstruction projects in the Aviation, Oil, Banking and Infrastructure sectors. Further to this, there are now GLOBAL Close Protection Teams working in support of the Ministries of the Coalition Provisional Authority.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Group 4 Falck A/S
Headquarters:
Panchwati
82-A, Sector 18
Gurgaon 122016 (Haryana)
India
Tel: <91> 124-2398888
Fax: <91> 124-2397131
Website: www.group4falck.com
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
Abrahem Ghazarian
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Guarding services including static guards, patrol guards, close protection, control room guards, and air marshals (armed and unarmed). Technical and security systems solutions. Physical security and design. Cash services (armed vehicles) with trained crew to transfer cash and valuables. Provide ATM services, wage packaging and distribution. Cashing sorting. Ambulance services (vehicles and professional staff). Firefighting services (vehicles, products and professional staff). Prisons and prison management. Global solutions. Facility management and training services.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hill and Associates, Ltd.

Headquarters:
2604-9 Harbour Center
No. 25 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong King
Tel: <852> 2802-2123
Fax: <852> 2802-2133
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.hill-assoc.com

Contact in Iraq:
Richard Hancock, Director
Operations - Middle East
Tel: <971> (4) 211-5447 (Dubai) or (65) 6322-2558
Thuraya: 882-162-1100-133
Email: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Hill and Associates are a risk management consultancy company with ten years of experience supporting Fortune 500 companies in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. They currently have offices in Kuwait City, Dubai and Baghdad focused on providing clients in Iraq with a range of services, including: executive protection, information services and security audits.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ICP Group Ltd

Headquarters:
2 Old Brompton Road
London SW7 3DQ
United Kingdom
Tel: <44> (0) 207-591-4411
Fax: <44> (0) 207-584-1460
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.icpgroup.ltd.uk

Contact in Iraq:
Will Geddes or Andy King
Tel: <44> [phone] (UK number that rings in Baghdad)
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
ICP Group Ltd is an international threat management company servicing many international organizations including the corporate, industrial, financial, telecoms and pharmaceutical industries. With representation country-wide since Desert Storm (1991), ICP Group Ltd have provided security support and services to many major multi-national companies, NGO and government agencies. Providers of high-quality and competitively-priced protection services, security equipment, logistics management and liaison services, ICP Group Ltd can ensure that you are provided with an effective and efficiently managed security solution for short, mid and long-term engagements. Services include: close protection/bodyguards (static and mobile), secure accommodation, armored vehicles, personal protection equipment, field operations supplies, due diligence, risk assessment, audits and project evaluation/analysis, medical services, hostile environment training, specialist insurance coverage (through Lloyds of London), crisis management, and business continuity services and evacuation support and services. ICP Group Ltd protection employees are only either former British and US Special Forces or Elite Forces personnel.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ISI

Headquarters:
Baghdad Conference Palace
Mansour, Baghdad
Tel: <1> 914-360-2492
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
Omar Hadi
Tel: <1> 914-360-2492 or <1> 914-822-7707
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
ISI Iraq is a part of the ISI Group and is the only security company to provide 24 hour Iraqi security guards to the CPA "Green Zone". All guards are trained by the U.S. army, vetted through "local knowledge" and have been a valuable asset to the American troops at the convention center in Baghdad. ISI also provides guards for residences, offices, and also do low key protection work for foreign nationals. All guards provided to foreign nationals have proficient English, and invaluable local knowledge, military or police backgrounds as well as British and American training. ISI has also been involved in due diligence, providing information for foreign and domestic companies through a network of personalities, companies, and families throughout Iraq. ISI's senior management includes experienced military personnel mostly ex-special forces from both the US and UK. ISI provides turnkey accommodation solution for foreign companies and press, in low key locations around Baghdad, providing and vetting all members of staff, 24 hour security as well as other complimentary support. Security services include: manned guarding, close protection work, site surveys, turnkey accommodation, and provision of commercial intelligence and due diligence, translators and drivers. Commercial services include: representation, construction, turn key 'camps', transportation within and in and out of Iraq. ISI has existing joint venture agreements with both US and UK established security firms.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meteoric Tactical Solutions


Headquarters:
6 Meteor Road
Valhalla
Pretoria, South Africa
Tel: <27> 12 651 3402
Fax: <27> 12 651 3402
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
Lourens Horn (Louwtjie)
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Specialized training programs, VIP protection, asset protection, risk management and analysis, even management, asset recovery.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meyer & Associates

Headquarters:
P.O. Box 1800
Joshua (DFW), TX 76058
Tel: <11> 817-426-1199
Fax: <11> 817-558-4868
Website: www.meyerglobalforce.com
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
Tim Meyer or Gary DeSmith
Tel: [phone] or 1-817-821-8820
Email: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Security consulting and problem resolution, executive protection/bodyguards, advance work, intelligence, transportation and drivers, security guards, threat assessment, kidnap negotiations, investigations, reporting, analysis, liaisons with government, diplomatic, military, local and guerilla leaders. Aggressive security including specialized ex-military personnel utilizing state of the art equipment and tactics. Armed Patrol Vessels.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Olive Security (UK) Limited
Headquarters:
2 Charles Street
Mayfair, London
W1J 5DB
England, UK
Tel: <44> (0) 207307 0540
Fax: <44> (0) 207307 0542
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.olivesecurity.com

Contact in Iraq:
John Yourston and Douglas Dick
Tel: [phone] or <965> 914-0169 (Kuwait office)

Description of Services:
Armed VIP protection, armed convoy escort, threat and risk analysis, security site survey, key point security, manned guards, technological security including: TSCM, debugging/sweeps, IT security implementation.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Optimal Solution Services
Headquarters:
4/35 Spencer Street
Fairfield NSW
Australia
Tel: <61> (2) 97555840
Fax: <61> (2) 97559835
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
Zahir F. Hameed
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Description of Services:
The infrastructure is streamlined to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness in vigilance and security alert response. Our emphasis is on maintaining the highest industry standards with our security personnel adhering to safety and health regulation and best work practices.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overseas Security & Strategic Information, Inc/Safenet - Iraq

Headquarters:
Post Office Box 52067
Atlanta, GA 30355
USA
Tel: <1> 404-307-4072
Fax: <1> 413-208-6069
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
John H. Walbridge, Jr. or Mauritz Le Roux
Tel: <964> 7901915494 or <88> 216 5201 4591/4592

Description of Services:
We provide in-country "hands on" management of highly trained and experienced South African security personnel by former American intelligence officers with paramilitary backgrounds. Services include close protection of VIPs, general personal security of employees, convoy escorts of personnel and equipment, training of local security personnel, provision of armored and unarmored vehicles, threat and intelligence reporting, and provision of combat medics with proper equipment. Our approach is responsive, personalized and cost-effective.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RamOPS Risk Management Group

Headquarters:
7312 Suite 8 Hihenge Court
Raleigh, NC 27615
Tel: <1> 919-740-4597
Website: www.ramops.com
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
Andy Potts or John Autenreith
Email: [e-mail]
Tel: <1> 919-740-4597 (US)

Description of Services:
Security consulting that includes threat assessments, recommended precautions, and contingency planning for personnel, sites, and equipment. Site security including area patrols, point security, and barricade design. Executive and VIP protection, convoy escort, 24/7 coverage available throughout Iraq. Communications, information technology, and logistic services available in support of any NGO or commercial operation. Their entire organization is comprised of US special operations and military intelligence professionals. Security consulting and training available in the US for NGO or corporate personnel prior to deployment.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sumer International Security

Headquarters:
Almasbah - Dis Babilon
Sec. 929, St. 10, Building 10(54/356)
Baghdad, Iraq
Tel: <1> 312-869-7336 (VOIP)
Fax: <1> 202-438-9710
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.thesandigroup.com

Contact in Iraq:
Janna Lipman
Tel: <1> 312-869-8336 (VOIP) or <964> 7901-916-338 or <1> 202-483-5900
Email: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Description of Services:
SIS security guards, body guards, and private police armed and uniformed are trained by DynCorp International. Our clients are protected by a 365 days, 24/7 basis and we maintain a 24 hours dispatch operation with field supervision.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Triple Canopy Inc.

Headquarters:
200 W. Adams Street
29th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
USA
Tel: <1> 312-895-5000 ext. 7070
Fax: <1> 312-895-5001
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.triplecanopy.com

Contact in Iraq:
Ron Boline or Tony Nichlson
Tel: <1> 914-360-6961 (NY number rings in Baghdad) or <44> 208-792-629 (UK number rings in Baghdad)
Email: [e-mail] or [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Triple Canopy excels in executive protection, site security, and convoy security. Our operators have an average of more than 20 years in the most elite military Special Operations units and are the highest quality personnel in the industry. Our services range from discreet travel companions to heavily armored, high profile convoy escort. From security assessments to tactical training to direct security work, Triple Canopy has the solution.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wade-Boyd and Associates LLC

Headquarters:
Suite 116
Main Street
Lawler, IA 52154
Tel: <1> 641-330-4581 or 931-302-7822
Fax: <1> 270-518-5780
Email: [e-mail]

Contact in Iraq:
Malek (Ali) Mehanna or V. Brooke Phillips
Tel: <1> 641-330-4581 (US)
Email: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Description of Services:
Owned and operated by honorably retired U.S. army military police investigator, who currently is the command investigator lieutenant for the U.S. DOD federal police. And, an honorably retired (twice) U.S. DOD federal police investigator sergeant/chief of police. With over 40 years of combined experience, we provide: professional, experienced, former military/federal law enforcement, armed close protection teams, K-9 dogs for explosive detection and protection, security officers both standing and roving, investigations, under-cover investigations, armed escorts, vehicle and transportation convoy security, armed patrol in vehicle and water craft, air craft protection teams both on land and in the air, translators, armed money/valuables escorts, surveillance, global vehicle tracking, home and business protection both uniformed and plan clothes, armored vehicles, and more.

http://travel.state.gov/iraq_securitycompanies.html

[bobthedrummer]

10. The use of mercenaries to augment duties of our GI's has led to a

lot of outrageous policies and practices, all driven by their need to make a profit.

One example of this was the practice of mercenaries charging our wounded soldiers for the meals served to them in military hospitals.

This practice has finally ended, and the wounded soldiers that paid for those meals have been promised reimbursement, as recently reported by Stars and Stripes.
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=21368

[seemslikeadream]

12. Evidence of U.S. Role in Coup 'Operation Jaded Task'

April 7: Conclusive Evidence of U.S. Role in Kidnapping and Coup

PRESS ADVISORY
Monday, April 4, 2004
Media Contact: Dustin Langley 212-633-6646

As Bush Administration Scrambles to Shore Up Appointed Haitian Regime Commission to Present Conclusive Evidence of U.S. Role in Kidnapping and Coup

Date: Wednesday, April 7
Time: 6:30- 9:30 pm
Location: The Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College

Panel to include: Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Major Owens, Former Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Ossie Davis, Gil Noble, Amy Goodman, Ron Daniels, and other prominent activists and journalists

The Bush Administration is facing a growing crisis over its role in the coup in Haiti and the kidnapping of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who continues to speak out about his abduction by the U.S. The 15-member organization of Caribbean nations, CARICOM, has refused to recognize the U.S.-installed regime and has called for an investigation, despite intense pressure and threats from the U.S. The 53-member African Union has raised the same demand.

On Wednesday, April 7, the Haiti Commission of Inquiry will initiate a public inquiry of the role of the Bush Administration in the crisis in Haiti. Delegations that visited both the Central African Republic and the Dominican Republic will present conclusive evidence that U.S. Special Forces armed, trained, and directed the "rebels" and engineered the abduction of President Aristide.

The preliminary report from the Commission states, "two hundred U.S. Special Forces soldiers came to the Dominican Republic as part of 'Operation Jaded Task,' with special authorization from President Hipólito Mejia. We have received many reports that this operation was used to train Haitian rebels. We have received many consistent reports of Haitian rebel training centers at or near Dominican military facilities. We have received many consistent reports of guns transported from the Dominican Republic to Haiti, some across the land border, and others shipped by sea."

Johnnie Stevens of the International Action Center, a member of the delegation to the Central African Republic, said, "The U.S.-installed Prime Minister, Gerard Latortue, has hailed the paid mercenaries as freedom fighters, and had thus discredited himself among the Caribbean nations."

Secretary of State Colin Powell, in a desperate bid to lend some credibility to the Latortue government, is now visiting Haiti for the first time. This attempt to put U. S. weight behind the isolated colonial-style regime is a response to its growing isolation. Sara Flounders, of the International Action Center, said, "This visit by Powell is a sign of the Bush Administration’s growing isolation and disarray. The U.S. is desperately trying to shore up a discredited regime in the face of international opposition to the appointed government of Haiti after the stinging rebuke directed at the U.S. by the recent CARICOM meeting." Flounders is a member of the Haiti Commission of Inquiry and was part of the delegation to the Central African Republic, where she visited with President Aristide shortly after his kidnapping.

Kim Ives from Haiti Progres, who was part of the delegation to the Dominican Republic, told the media, "In the course of our investigation here, we met with many Haitians who were forced to flee Haiti following the coup d'etat of Feb. 29. Their testimony gave very concrete names and faces to the stories of violence which we have heard that the so-called rebels, trained and assembled in the Dominican Republic, have carried out in Haiti over the past month. We were also touched by the tears of refugees who told us of how they are apprehensive over the fate of their loved ones left behind in Haiti."

For more information, or to schedule an interview with a member of the Commission, call Dustin Langley at 212-633-6646.

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[bobthedrummer]

14. When mercenaries are awarded contracts, that is paid for by our taxes,

a significant portion of which go to defense spending.

And let's not forget that more than ONE TRILLION DOLLARS cannot be accounted for by Donald Rumsfeld's DoD.

I wonder, how much of that ended up in the accounts of mercenaries?

Where did it go? I'm not naive, I've heard of the "grey" and "black" budgets, I suspect that is where a lot of our taxes went.

[PsN2Wind]

16. You don't think they might be in Iraq

getting more experience in Urban warfare for when they are needed to enforce martial law in the Good Ol' US of A. Maybe a way to circumvent "Posse Comitatus" (sp). I'd point that out to the wingers as a distinct possibility.

[bobthedrummer]

18. If it came to that, the rallying point would be our US Constitution

as always.

[PsN2Wind]

19. If we had an impartial SCOTUS

I could take more comfort in that.

[derby378]

17. A Quaker view on mercenaries

Balancing their overall anti-war stance (including the Peace Testimony) with the convictions of individuals who feel genuinely compelled to take up arms for a particular cause has always been a sticking point within the Society of Friends. Quaker founder George Fox offered a pragmatic compromise which could be paraphrased, "If you must wear a sword, wear it as long as you can." In other words, wear the sword until its emotional and psychological weight becomes to great to bear, then shed it and devote your faculties to promoting peace and justice without an emphasis on force.

A Quaker solider or militiaman may or may not have been expelled from his local meeting or congregation, depending on the prevailing sentiment of his fellow Friends. Mercenaries, on the other hand, faced much tougher opposition from Friends due to their service for money rather than some higher cause. Even today, any Quaker suspected of serving as a mercenary or bounty hunter may be taken aside by his or her local elders to determine if that person's convictions are still within the bounds of Quakerism.

There is, however, one overriding concern: mercenaries or no, those who were killed in Fallujah did not deserve to die in the way they did, their bodies mutilated and put on public display. I hope those who are responsible are caught and brought to justice rather than indiscriminately slaughtered.

[NNN0LHI]

20. Here is the kind of people we are sending over there to "help" the Iraqis

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1347747&mesg_id=1347747

[bobthedrummer]

21. Don, don't forget that Dyn Corp had enough power to get Mary Robinson

fired as UNCHR head when she refused to back off going after these slime-I'm sure that there are more than a few monsters in Iraq--criminals doing anything to make a buck.:argh:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

22. OK then

I'll keep posting here if you pay me $1000 a week.