[Corp. Watch] Blackwater adopts alias as government 'de-privatizes' diplomatic security

[Corporation Watch]

Scandal-Ridden Blackwater Changes Name

  By Maddy Sauer and Megan Chuchmach

(ABC News, Feb. 13) -- The scandal-ridden security firm Blackwater USA  
is officially changing its name effective immediately as the company  
moves to rebrand itself after being fired last month by the State  
Department from its job protecting diplomats in Iraq.

	The company will now be known as Xe and hopes to be a "one-stop  
shopping source for world class services in the fields of security,  
stability, aviation, training and logistics", according to a memo sent  
by company president Gary Jackson to employees today.

	The division that handles the diplomatic protection services will now  
be known as U.S. Training Center, but now its primary focus will be  
operating training facilities, including the flagship campus in North  
Carolina, according to Jackson.

	It was that division that handled Blackwater's overseas operations,  
which also faced the most criticism.

	"Blackwater's latest attempt at re-branding itself would be hilarious  
if the company's record wasn't so deadly," said Jeremy Scahill, author  
of 'Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army'.

	"Blackwater's deadly record has clearly made the company an  
international symbol of the out-of-control violence of the Bush era in  
Iraq and the rise of modern-day mercenaries," said Scahill, "so it is  
understandable why the company would try to change its name at this  
moment in history."

	Blackwater has been the target of at least four grand jury  
investigations and accusations of tax fraud, improper use of force,  
arms trafficking, and over-billing. The firm has denied any wrongdoing.

	The firm is best known for its automatic weapon-brandishing  
diplomatic protection force in Iraq. Iraqi officials recently refused  
to license Blackwater to operate there, citing lingering outrage over  
the September 2007 shooting deaths of 17 civilians by Blackwater guards.

	Five former Blackwater guards have pleaded not guilty to federal  
charges that include 14 counts of manslaughter and 20 counts of  
attempted manslaughter. No charges were brought against the corporation.

	While Jackson made no mention of the scandals in his memo, he did say  
that an independent panel of outside experts had been advising the  
company since last fall "to help build our company compliance  
structures."

U.S. Now Hiring for Blackwater Replacements

	The State Department is now advertising for the latest round of  
security posts overseas. The department is hiring as many as 700  
"security protective specialists" to end its reliance on contracting  
firms like Blackwater.

	The position pays about $52,000 a year, with additional danger pay  
and post differential that add up to about 70 percent of the base  
salary, according to a job posting on a government website.

	Meals and housing are provided overseas, but they'll also encounter  
some fairly rigorous working conditions -- the new hires will be  
deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel.

	The description warns that the job involves "harsh climates" and  
"health hazards". There's also the caveat that despite "unique rewards  
and opportunities," the job "may result in bodily injury and death."

	The job "may require jumping, dodging, lying prone, as well as  
wrestling, restraining, and subduing attackers, or detainees," the  
posting says. And after the initial tour is completed, the specialists  
could very well be transferred to "other high threat posts overseas".

	Specialists will be trained in the use of firearms, personal  
defensive tactics, driving skills, emergency medical procedures, and  
protective security techniques at a 13-week training session before  
being deployed.

	Applicants can apply on the State Department's website through  
February 17.