Bechtel contractor, based in Dubai, gets lucrative U.S. security contracts

[kpete]

Bechtel contractor, based in Dubai, gets lucrative U.S. security contracts
RAW STORY
Published: March 6, 2006



A British security firm headquartered in Dubai has won lucrative contracts for U.S. security in Iraq and the United States, providing security in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and training Iraqi port security officers under the Coalition Provisional Authority, RAW STORY has found.

The firm, the Olive Group, is largely comprised of ex-British intelligence officers. While a British company, its main headquarters are in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates city that caused a stir when it was revealed that the Emirates were set to take over control of 21 U.S. ports. Olive was founded in 2001.

The revelation that a Dubai-based firm provides security consulting for myriad U.S. operations at home and abroad shows the increasing tendency of the U.S. government to privatize security efforts. It comes on the same day that the Drudge Report discovered that a foreign company handles security at an Indianapolis airport.


Olive’s consulting in Iraq is underwritten by U.S. taxpayers under an umbrella contract awarded to Bechtel. It has won three major contracts from Bechtel since the invasion in 2003. A recent estimate suggests the U.S. spends $2 billion a year on private security services in Iraq; Olive had scored at least $100 million when the study was published in 2004.

Olive came under scrutiny in 2003 after it emerged that the co-owner’s father, Tony Allum, visited Washington to meet with Bechtel leaders as an envoy of Iraq Industry Working Group, an arm of the British government. Allum and his son deny any contracts were awarded due to favoritism.

Under another U.S.-Bechtel deal, Olive provided security in Mississippi for travel trailers and mobile homes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Bechtel_contractor_based_in_Dubai_gets_0306.html

[Bozita]

1. hmmm, ... "The firm’s attorneys are Baker, Botts, LLP"

from the article:

Also of note: The firm’s attorneys are Baker, Botts, LLP – a lawfirm where former Secretary of State to President George H. W. Bush is a partner. Baker Botts opened an office in Dubai last year.


double hmmm.

[LaPera]

2. Pappy Bush & his Caryle Group, James Baker and the rest of the pigs...

are of course are behind this UAE deal...They don't give one shit about America or Americans...they are international deal makers and if there's war here in the US or anywhere else in the world they always make billions!!!

[SeattleRob]

3. no surprise

Remember, Rummy shook Saddam's hand in the 1980's to try to get a Bechtel pipeline deal.

[kpete]

4. but the most telling paragraph of all is this.

but the most telling paragraph of all is this.

Also of note: The firm’s attorneys are Baker, Botts, LLP – a lawfirm where former Secretary of State to President George H. W. Bush is a partner. Baker Botts opened an office in Dubai last year

http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Bechtel_contractor_based_...