Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Drones, Blackwater and DynCorp in Pakistan
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, while visiting Pakistan, has said the US is considering giving Pakistan drones for intelligence and reconnaissance purposes, a private TV channel reported.
Gates also conceded that US security companies Blackwater (Xe) and DynCorp are operating in Pakistan in private capacities. He said the companies would comply with Pakistani laws.
Amazing statements on the use of mercenaries and drone missiles when the U.S. is not even officially at war with Pakistan?
Previously, a former senior executive at Blackwater confirmed the military intelligence source’s claim that the company is working in Pakistan for the CIA and JSOC, the premier counterterrorism and covert operations force within the military. This arrangement, the former executive said, allows the use of former US Special Operations forces who now work for Blackwater while denying an official US military presence in the country.
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Blackwater Watch » Blog Archive » Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Drones, Blackwater and DynCorp … - January 24, 2010 at 1:38 am |
JSOC, btw, is the premier counterterrorism and covert operations force within the military.
The current head of JSOC is Vice Adm. William McRaven, who took over the post from Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who headed JSOC from 2003 to 2008 before being named the top US commander in Afghanistan.
moraloutrage - January 24, 2010 at 1:05 pm |