"US studies legality of American-led private army" [Eric Prince's ZE Army]

[KoKo]

US studies legality of American-led private army (Financial Times):

The US state department said on Sunday that it was examining the legality of an American-led private army that is being established in the United Arab Emirates.

Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater private security company, is establishing a counter-terrorism force of up to 800 foreign mercenaries in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, The New York Times reported on Sunday.

Mr Prince has been hired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, to recruit an American-led force of mainly South American former soldiers, through a company called R2, with a view to countering a perceived threat from Iran and bolstering domestic security, the report said.

“The department is aware of the R2 venture and is currently looking into it to make sure there are no potential International Traffic in Arms Regulations concerns,” a state department spokesman confirmed on Sunday. The regulations govern the sale of defence services as well as defence equipment.

Members of the new force have been trained since last summer by former special forces soldiers from the US, South Africa and European countries in a camp outside Abu Dhabi, the newspaper said.

More at.......


http://publicintelligence.net/state-department-investigating-legality-of-erik-princes-uae-private-army/

Secret Desert Force Set Up by Blackwater’s Founder (New York Times):

-----------------------------------------

Erik Prince, Blackwater Founder, Sets Up Secret Desert Force In United Arab Emirates

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -


Blackwater, which once had lucrative contracts to protect U.S. officials in Iraq, became notorious in the region in 2007 when its guards opened fire in Baghdad traffic, killing at least 14 people in what the Iraqi government called a "massacre."

-snip-

According to former employees of the project and U.S. officials cited by the Times, the troops were brought to a training camp in the UAE from Colombia, South Africa and other countries, starting in the summer of 2010.

They were being trained by retired U.S. military, and former members of German and British special operations units and the French Foreign Legion, the Times said.

More at......
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/15/erik-prince-blackwater-united-arab-emirates_n_862098.html

[Taverner]

1. Aren't they called "mercs" and aren't they a violation of international law?

[KoKo]

2. If they are being trained by "retired" US Military...then it's all good, isn't it?

Don't the "Retired US Military" appear as spokespersons (paid) Consultants on both MSNBC/CNN/FOX?

They have a lot of room...these "retired military" to wander and get into trouble. :shrug:

[montanacowboy]

3. Death Squad Scum from other countries

wow, wonder what they are planning?

[bvar22]

4. Why is it OK for Prince to run a "private" army in Iraq,

but not in Saudi Arabia? :shrug:

[JoeyT]

7. Why was it ok for him and his cult to stockpile weapons, ammo, and tanks/planes

but not other cults? ;)

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. I'm sure there are people who are on the ready to do just this.

As long as they can carry the confederate flag.

[classysassy]

6. Strip him of his American citizenship

and let him and his thugs face the music without America's protection .

[Doctor_J]

8. Title says it all

while Blackwater is cleaning out the treasury, killing people, being given rights to impose martial law in the US, and basically subject to no laws themselves, the state department is "discussing" whether their activities are legal.

[Uncle Joe]

9. If it's not illegal, it damn sure should be.

Thanks for the thread, KoKo.