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August 10, 2009

US Extends Blackwater Contract in Iraq
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The Nation magazine reports the Obama administration has extended a
contract with the company formerly known as Blackwater for more than $20
million for “security services” in Iraq. Since President Barack Obama
took office in January, the State Department has contracted with
Blackwater for more than $174 million in “security services” alone in
Iraq and Afghanistan and tens of millions more in “aviation services.”
The latest contract was extended just days before two former Blackwater
employees alleged in sworn statements filed in federal court that the
company’s owner, Erik Prince, views himself as a Christian crusader
tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe.



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