(CNN) -- A former vice president of the Blackwater private security company said he was "unaware of any plot or guidance for Blackwater to bribe Iraqi officials" as rage erupted over the killings of 17 civilians by the company's security guards more than two years ago.
Cofer Black made the comment after The New York Times reported in its Wednesday editions that Blackwater, now operating under the name Xe, "authorized secret payments of about $1 million to Iraqi officials." Xe passed along his statement to CNN.
Iraq is probing the report, and Black denied actions the Times' sources said he took after allegedly learning about the payments.
He did say he had met with U.S. Embassy officials during the "period described" in the Times report "to discuss the best course of action" in the aftermath of the September 2007 shootings in Nusoor Square. The company had been providing security for diplomats and the sprawling U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad.
Thoughts?
-- Edited by Kommandant_Karl on Tuesday 17th of November 2009 01:29:42 AM
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