Comments on: The Press Reports on Ada-based Global Security Contractor http://griid.org/2009/10/16/the-press-reports-on-ada-based-global-security-contractor/ Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:04:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Tim http://griid.org/2009/10/16/the-press-reports-on-ada-based-global-security-contractor/#comment-1186 Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:51:55 +0000 http://griid.org/?p=1103#comment-1186 You ask for a more thorough investigation before publishing a “favorable report” about the security contracting company CSS.
Well for starters, your own research is somewhat lacking as it was not U.S. Marines depicted in the 1993 battle portrayed in “Black Hawk Down”. It was U.S. Army Rangers along with members from The U.S. Army’s 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta supported by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).

You then make mention of “the new information about human rights abuses and a lack of contractor accountability with private security forces”. This myth continues to be perpetuated by bloggers such as yourself and other reporters without doing the very research that you say should be done before publishing a favorable story about CSS.
So if it’s a negative story, I suppose research isn’t necessary?
Contractors working for the U.S. State Department are under some of the strictest guidelines imaginable.
I can gladly provide you with a list of infractions, some minor some major which would result in a contractor being fired immediately. The last time I checked, Contractors accused of a “bad” shooting were brought up on charges in U.S. Federal Court. It was a U.S. Federal judge that determined the case could not go forward due to the fact that the defendants rights were violated and rules of evidence not properly followed. In other words, they were accorded the same rights as any criminal in the United States would be after having been charged and indicted. So I’m not sure where you get your “lack of accountability”.

One last point. Compare the numbers of missions run by Private Contractors to that of the U.S. Military. Then while doing this research, find out how much collateral damage is caused by Contractors vs. the U.S. Military and you will find that Private Contractors have been getting the job done in Iraq and Afghanistan with much less collateral damage (i.e. civilian deaths, property damage etc) than the U.S. Military. The numbers don’t lie and they are available for anyone caring to do some simple “research”.

]]> By: Africa | Somalia24.com - Leader In News - News That Is Better Connected... http://griid.org/2009/10/16/the-press-reports-on-ada-based-global-security-contractor/#comment-532 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:42:24 +0000 http://griid.org/?p=1103#comment-532 [...] interview to a local publication in its home state of Michigan, which was later criticized by the Grand Rapids Institute for Media and Democracy (GRID) for publishing a “favorable” story that interviewed the company’s owners who “[made] [...]

]]> By: Industry Talk: Somalia Jumps on Private Security Bandwagon | Feral Jundi http://griid.org/2009/10/16/the-press-reports-on-ada-based-global-security-contractor/#comment-530 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:18:54 +0000 http://griid.org/?p=1103#comment-530 [...] interview to a local publication in its home state of Michigan, which was later criticized by the Grand Rapids Institute for Media and Democracy (GRID) for publishing a “favorable” story that interviewed the company’s owners who “[made] [...]

]]> By: Somalia Jumps on Private Security Bandwagon « The Non-State Unlimited http://griid.org/2009/10/16/the-press-reports-on-ada-based-global-security-contractor/#comment-528 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:07:55 +0000 http://griid.org/?p=1103#comment-528 [...] interview to a local publication in its home state of Michigan, which was later criticized by the Grand Rapids Institute for Media and Democracy (GRID) for publishing a “favorable” story that interviewed the company’s owners who “[made] [...]

]]> By: Jeff Smith (GRIID) http://griid.org/2009/10/16/the-press-reports-on-ada-based-global-security-contractor/#comment-423 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:35:26 +0000 http://griid.org/?p=1103#comment-423 I agree that CSS Global is not under a State Department contract and I never said so in my posting. The article was first of all analyzing the Press story about the new CSS Global contract. What I was pointing out was that in light of all that we now know about other military/security related contracts the media should investigate more before publishing such favorable stories.

While CSS Global is accountable to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, that government is being supported by the US, meaning there is a strong possibility of interaction and cooperation. In addition, CSS Global employees are mostly US citizens, some with pervious military experience, who will be working in a country that is identified by the US government as a country where international terrorism operates, this does impact all of us.

]]> By: cap19 http://griid.org/2009/10/16/the-press-reports-on-ada-based-global-security-contractor/#comment-422 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:13:52 +0000 http://griid.org/?p=1103#comment-422 Unlike some of the other highly publicized contractor problems you reference, CSS is not under contract with the U.S. State Department or other U.S. government entity to provide these services.

CSS Global has been hired by the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to provide security training and consulting services. It is accountable to the top leadership. This really is a different situation than what you’re referring to.

]]>