News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Blackwater CEO says he welcomes new scrutiny

The Bridge

Published: Oct 14, 2007 12:30 AM
Modified: Oct 14, 2007 02:42 AM

Blackwater CEO says he welcomes new scrutiny

 

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Audio and images from a videotape made by insurgents obtained from Time Magazine via APTV.


AUDIO

 Correspondent Charles Crain describes the scene at the bridge in Fallujah (:41)

 Correspondent Charles Crain talks about the Iraqi reaction (:26).

 Correspondent Charles Crain discusses the impact in Iraq (:16).

 Correspondent Charles Crain remembers Jerry Zovko (:35).

GRAPHICS

Map:A fatal journey through Fallujah

Chart:Contract values

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RALEIGH - The chief executive of Blackwater USA, whose guards are accused of killing 17 Iraqis in Baghdad last month, says he welcomes the FBI investigation into the shooting and supports the prosecution of any bad acts.

"I'm glad they can be a neutral party," Blackwater founder Erik Prince said in an interview to be broadcast today on CBS' "60 Minutes." "And if there's further investigation or prosecution even needed, if someone really did wrong and meant badly, I'm all supportive."

Prince also was to appear in an interview to air today on CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer." He was interviewed by Newsweek for an article posted Friday night and will appear Monday night on PBS' "The Charlie Rose Show."

"These are guys that are prior military. They're prior law enforcement. They're used to that kind of accountability. ... This is not an unusual thing to hold them accountable again," Prince told Rose. "They want that. ... And they want clear names for those that didn't do anything wrong. They want justice to be done, just like we do."

Iraqi authorities have asked the U.S. government to sever all contracts in Iraq with Blackwater within six months and hand over the contractors involved in the Sept. 16 shootings in Baghdad's Nisour Square to face possible trial in Iraqi courts.

An Iraqi investigation into the shooting charges that four Blackwater vehicles called to the square began shooting without provocation.

Prince said he has evidence the Blackwater guards were fired on.

"The fact is three of our vehicles had pock marks in them from incident reports that I saw," Prince said. "So, clearly, our guys were not shooting at each other."

Prince also said one of the Blackwater vehicles was shot through the radiator and had to be towed from the scene.

"I believe -- wait until the investigation comes out, but in looking at the past performance of the guys, the previous military experience, the good judgment they've shown for the last 15 or 20 years serving in the U.S. military and law enforcement -- I believe they used good judgment that day," Prince told Rose.

Blackwater's spokeswoman did not return messages left by The Associated Press on Saturday seeking comment from Prince, a 38-year-old former Navy SEAL who founded North Carolina-based Blackwater in 1997.

Prince told Rose that Blackwater welcomes additional measures imposed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, including having federal agents accompany convoys and installing video cameras in their vehicles.

Prince this month told a House committee that while the company supports legislation that would place private security companies working for the State Department under the jurisdiction of U.S. courts, the FBI's investigation is proof that oversight and accountability already exists.

The legislation has since passed, and Prince told "60 Minutes" he welcomes additional oversight.

"We want a good name for this industry," Prince said.

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