On June 11, enveloped in the golden brown desert habitat and bright blue skies of Otay Mesa, California, investigative journalist and author of “Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army” (Nation Books, 2007) Jeremy Scahill joined over 100 San Diegans in a demonstration against the private military contractor Blackwater. Just one week earlier, Blackwater opened its 61,000 sq. ft. military training facility in an industrial park on
Scahill’s study of Blackwater provides rigorous and well-researched support for the concerns of many
What is unique here, and uniquely threatening to democracy and the rule of law, are the historical and economic conditions under which this massive transfer of public tax dollars to private corporations is taking place. Scahill rejects the facile name-calling or moralistic arguments against Blackwater that would lead some to call them “fascists” or to offer up conspiracy theories to explain the success of these companies. Rather, Scahill points to the political economy of security in the post-9/11 period as the driving force behind the rapid expansion of companies like DynCorp, Titan, as well as Blackwater. “Blackwater operates in a demand-based industry—demand for aggressive wars of conquest” that are the driving force for the massive wealth transfer from the American people to private corporations.
Following the Bush Administration playbook, Blackwater spokesmen regularly stay on message in attempts to frame their expansion in the most limited terms possible. They regularly claim that it is “pure coincidence” that Blackwater West is building facilities on the US-Mexico border. In a May 23 editorial in the San Diego Union Tribune, Blackwater President Gary Jackson argued vociferously that Blackwater will limit its role to "provide essential preventative training" to a seriously underfunded military. "The proposed training facility has one purpose: to prepare our military and law enforcement personnel to deal wtih potential threats. [. . .] While critics have floated a wide range of wild theories concerning the 'real purpose' of our presence in San Diego, it really is that simple. There is no other agenda."
In spite of repeated public statements to the contrary, Blackwater is clearly situating itself to capitalize on potentially lucrative contracts to provide border security and engage in anti-drug efforts, work which is currently being performed by military contractors in
Last summer Blackwater entered into a $15 billion contract to fight “terrorists with drug trade ties,” according to Scahill. In addition, Blackwater runs another subsidiary company called “Total Intelligence Solutions,”overseen by J. Cofer Black, Robert Richer and Enrique “Ric” Prado, which Scahill has referred to as “Blackwater’s private
Blackwater spokesmen's own words confirm John Fanestil's analysis that this expansion is driven by a culture of covert operation. Gary Jackson argues against public hearings that might threaten the unimpeded expansion of their corporate enterprise: “Debate over U.S. foreign policy has a place – in Congress, in presidential campaigns, and indeed in American public discourse – but political debate should not affect permitting processes or encumber our military and law enforcement's essential need to prepare for potential attacks.” In a response to the widespread public response to Potrero citizen groups’ opposition to Blackwater’s proposed facility there, Brian Bonfiglio rejected the legitimate role of elected leaders and citizen groups in public debate, accusing Congressman Bob Filner and the East County Democratic Club of having “inserted themselves into the process . . . to make a political statement about the war in Iraq.” (posted on 8 January 2008 on the voiceofsandiego.org blog Cafe San Diego--link disabled)
In fact, the widespread opposition of local elected leaders has nothing to do with opposition to the
At an April 25 press conference in front of the proposed Otay Mesa facility, US Congressman Bob Filner pointed out a few of the dangers inherent in the use of mercenary forces in military roles: “The use of civilian-defense contractors is irresponsible, and should be stopped immediately. Not only are they unaccountable to the Military, the State Department and Congress; they are civilians serving in combat and combat-training. Many have been wounded or have wounded others, and yet, they are not veterans; there is no safety net when they come home. It is criminal to ask civilian men and women to perform the role of the military when they lack the support necessary to return to their civilian lives.”
In her statement at the same press conference, Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, California Senate District 40, explained that local opposition is a legitimate part of any process of public debate: “There were environmental issues when Blackwater tried to locate in Potrero and now they want to site a facility in an industrial area within the footprint of the proposed cross-border terminal. Given the controversial nature of this corporation, residents and stakeholders in Otay Mesa should have been informed of a proposed training facility for mercenaries near their community. Their views on this matter need to be taken into account whether this facility is compatible to Otay Mesa’s residents and businesses.”
On Tuesday, June 17, the public debate will continue as City Attorney Mike Aguirre argues the City of
