‘Deviant hazing’ alleged at U.S. Embassy in Kabul
(note: click HERE to see more hazing pics. Caution-pics are graphic)
A spokeswoman for watchdog group POGO said hazing at a camp for security guards went "well beyond partying."
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Some private security guards hired to protect the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan say their contractor has allowed widespread mistreatment, sexual activity and intimidation within their ranks, according to the watchdog group Project On Government Oversight (POGO).
The group sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, and briefed reporters on its findings, which it said are based on e-mails and interviews with more than a dozen guards who have worked at the U.S. compound in Kabul.
The company, ArmorGroup, North America, has a security contract with the State Department to provide services through July, 2010, and has been cited several times for shortcomings in the security required by the contract.
A U.S. Senate panel two months ago was critical of the State Department for not closely supervising ArmorGroup, after a series of warning letters from the State Department in the year leading up to the panel’s inquiry.
When CNN contacted Wackenhut, the corporate parent of ArmorGroup, a spokesperson there said the company would have a response Wednesday.
The U.S. Embassy said Wednesday it was taking the allegations very seriously.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and security of all Embassy personnel — Americans and Afghan — and respect for the cultural and religious values of all Afghans,” it said in a statement.
“We have taken immediate steps to review all local guard force policies and procedures and have taken all possible measures to ensure our security is sound.” Should initiation rituals such as hazing be allowed? Sound off below
POGO says two weeks ago it began receiving whistleblower-style e-mails, some with graphic images and videos, that are said to document problems taking place at a non-military camp for the guards near the U.S. diplomatic compound in Kabul.
“This is well beyond partying,” said Danielle Brian, POGO’s executive director, after showing a video of a man with a bare backside, and another man apparently drinking a liquid that had been poured down the man’s lower back.
She told CNN that ranking supervisors were “facilitating this kind of deviant hazing and humiliation, and requiring people to do things that made them feel really disgusted.”Video Watch claims that alleged hazing at the U.S. Embassy pose a threat to security »
“This is not Abu Ghraib,” she said, referring to images and videos of abuse by U.S. military troops against prisoners held at a facility in Iraq. “We’re not talking about torture,” she continued, “we are talking about humiliation,” by supervisors causing a breakdown of morale, and a “total breakdown in the chain-of-command.”
In the letter POGO sent to Clinton, Brian wrote that the problems are “posing a significant threat to the security of the Embassy and its personnel.”
Among the recommendations from the group: immediate military supervision of the private security guards, a review of whether the contract should be revoked, and consideration as to whether government forces should replace private security in a combat zone. (click HERE to read the original article)
Well well well. This is so far beyond “Boy will be boys” I just don’t really know what to say. I believe issues like this are why KBR banned digital cameras!
Ms Sparky
Updated: September 3, 2009 @1022
Here is the CNN video on the incident.
Other Related Posts From Ms Sparky
- Vodka Butt-Shot Contractor (ArmorGroup) STILL Guarding the Kabul Embassy
- The US Embassy in Baghdad still a bottomless money pit
- Surprise! Another War-Zone Embassy Poorly Guarded by Contractors
- Internal report issues black eye for U.S. Embassy in Kabul
- Security assigned to watch guards at Kabul embassy + link to Kabul Hazing PICS
Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 at 8:33 am |
Wackenhut aka WSI is a strategic partner of KBR’s (WSI Fire and Emergency Services in Iraq) and may have been involved with the Jaime Leigh Jones rape allegations in 2005. How much longer is the DoD and the DOJ going to allow this to continue?
Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 at 8:34 am |
I was corrected by a reader on the reason KBR banned cameras.
I guess KBR Managers were concerned their short comings would be exposed!!
(OMG that was hard to type with a straight face)
Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 at 9:20 am |
“I believe issues like this are why KBR banned digital cameras”
Obviously, you dont know many companies banned camera phones on their premises, for example; Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes ect which have sensitive or propietary patented equipment. The military banned camera phones, The Goverment banned camera phones, The Fed Banned camera phones…may i continue? Apply the same to everyone and KBR looks like every other company out there.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
You have the sense of humor of a door knob!!
Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 at 10:57 am |
i did not read anything about KBR in this story i don’t think KBR is in the armed security business. I guess we have to link everything that idiots tend to do to KBR.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
What you’ve never seen naked KBR guys dancing around a fire drinking God only knows what at your camp? Hmmm You KBR people have no sense of humor today!
Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 at 6:33 pm |
…. U.S. Embassy in Kabul and accused the company of failure to provide proper equipment to protect the embassy, overworked guards, guard shortages, a lack of English-speaking guards, bringing prostitutes on base and supervisors engaging in missions they are not trained for.
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/09/02/2050098.aspx
Ms Sparky’s Response:
That is such a good article I am posting it right here. If Tom Burgess is involved I believe the investigation is in good hands.
State Dept to review Kabul Embassy
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009 12:30 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC’s Libby Leist
NBC News has learned that the State Department Inspector’s General office will be sending a team of more than a dozen inspectors to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul in the coming weeks to conduct a “full inspection” of embassy operations, according to a spokesman for the Inspector General’s office.
The inspectors will “evaluate all aspects of the embassy and the mission,” spokesman Tom Burgess said.
State Department officials say the inspectors will be looking at the allegations against ArmorGroup revealed by a watchdog group yesterday as well as all embassy operations including diplomatic, consular and security activity.
The IG’s office has previously conducted inspections of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul in 2004 and 2006 and officials insist that the ArmorGroup revelations did not trigger this latest inspection.
Separately, the State Department IG’s office has opened an investigation into the ArmorGroup contract. The Project on Government Oversight, or POGO, revealed explicit photos and videos yesterday of alleged hazing by ArmorGroup guards at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and accused the company of failure to provide proper equipment to protect the embassy, overworked guards, guard shortages, a lack of English-speaking guards, bringing prostitutes on base and supervisors engaging in missions they are not trained for.
POGO’s report faults the State Department for “grossly deficient” oversight and management of security contractors hired to protect the embassy in Kabul and it warns of “a significant threat to the security of the Embassy and its personnel” because of the contractor problems.
Thursday, September 3rd 2009 at 9:27 am |
I just added the CNN news report video from last night. There are more photos and more information.
Thursday, September 3rd 2009 at 10:39 am |
Retaliation: Whistleblower Allegedly Forced Out After Helping To Expose Guard Scandal At U.S. Embassy Kabul
…He is being forced out at a time when three of the supervisors responsible for allowing the misconduct at Camp Sullivan have been allowed to quietly resign and escape accountability…
http://www.pogo.org/pogo-files/alerts/contract-oversight/co-gp-20090903.html
Sounds familiar, perhaps Tom Burgess needs to broaden the investigation to include all contractors supporting our troops.
Wednesday, December 9th 2009 at 4:05 am |
A government watchdog group says it has obtained an email indicating that the State Department plans to phase out the use of security contractor ArmorGroup North America at its US embassy in Kabul.
The Project on Government Oversight previously exposed allegations of contract deficiencies, understaffing, false statements, misrepresentation and bad behavior by some employees with the security contractor.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/laurarozen/1209/POGO_ArmorGroup_loses_Kabul_embassy_contract.html#
Tuesday, March 15th 2011 at 11:20 pm |
Does anyone know what contract was awarded to KBR in relation to the KABUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT??? they won it somewhere in april 2010