Inquiry into Kabul Hazing Underway

(CBS/ AP)  A wide-ranging State Department inquiry into allegations of misconduct and mismanagement by a private security firm guarding the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan could lead to the termination of the company's $189 million contract, a department spokesman said Wednesday.

The allegations describe "Lord of the Flies" conditions that include threats and intimidation and activities with guards and supervisors in various stages of nudity at parties.

"We expect to see prompt and effective action taken as a result of these investigations," the spokesman, Ian C. Kelly, told reporters. Other possible actions include rebidding the contract or replacing individual guards and supervisors employed by the contractor, ArmorGroup North America, he said.

The State Department inspector general is leading the investigation of ArmorGroup. U.S. officials in Kabul also are conducting a review, Kelly said. And a team from the State Department's diplomatic security, management and contracting offices will go to Kabul to examine the situation.

ArmorGroup and the State Department came under fire Tuesday after an independent watchdog group said that the nearly 450 ArmorGroup guards live and work in an oppressive environment in which they are subjected to hazing and other inappropriate behavior by supervisors.

CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reported Tuesday that in numerous e-mails, the guards , understaffing, sleep deprivation, "threats and intimidation." One guard refers to a group of guards and supervisors from the security contractor ArmorGroup as "sexual predators, deviants running rampant."

The situation has led to a breakdown in morale and leadership that compromises security at the embassy where nearly 1,000 U.S. diplomats, staff and Afghan nationals work, according to the Project on Government Oversight in Washington.

With insurgent attacks in Afghanistan increasing, any shortcomings in security put the diplomatic mission there at risk, the group said in a 10-page letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

More about the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan:

Shocking Hazing at U.S. Embassy in Kabul
Images of alleged hazing (Graphic Content)
Graphic Content: Additional video of Kabul hazing
Group: U.S. Embassy security in Kabul risky
Letter to Sec. Clinton describing abuses (.pdf)

The State Department has been aware of ArmorGroup's shortcomings, the letter said, but has failed to correct the problems. Instead, it has renewed the contract twice, with the most recent installment good through July 2010.

Kelly acknowledged that ArmorGroup has been notified eight times of poor performance since the original contract was awarded in March 2007.

Wackenhut Services, ArmorGroup North America's parent company, has not responded to requests for comment.

The Project on Government Oversight's findings are based on interviews with ArmorGroup guards, documents, photographs and e-mails that it said depict "Lord of the Flies" conditions. The reference is to the 1954 novel by William Golding about a group of British schoolboys who are stranded on a desert island and try, but fail, to govern themselves in a chaotic setting.

One e-mail from a guard describes lurid conditions at Camp Sullivan, the guards' quarters a few miles from the embassy. The message described scenes of abuse, including guards and supervisors urinating on people and "threats and intimidation from those leaders participating in this activity."

Photographs show guards and supervisors in various stages of nudity at parties that took place near the housing of other supervisors.

"There were some things going on in Kabul that we were not aware of, but we frankly should have been aware of," Kelly said.

ArmorGroup's management is aware of the conditions but has not stopped it or disciplined those responsible, the letter said. Two supervisors alleged to be the worst offenders have been allowed to resign and may now be working on other U.S. contracts, the group said.

[lvas12]

Gees whats the big deal here? A few naked guards at a party while ?OFF? duty? These
Guys are in a war zone where they can be blown to bits by a car bomber at any moment
While at work ? very stressful. So they blow off a little steam while off duty ? that?s
Called stress relief and has been a normal actives in every army since the dawn of time.

As long as it doesn?t effect there performance while on the job, I see no problem here, move on you selfrighthess cowards. Yea cowards ? I don?t see you jumping at the chance to be a guard in Kabul.

[hower4]

It's HOW they blow off steam that's the problem! Normal people relieve stress by playing football, having a drink, or just relaxing with a good book. Why do Americans always like to abuse people to make themselves feel better?

[hower4]

It's very simple...... American culture is based on gratuitous violence and displaced bizarre sexuality. This is what most Americans regard as normal behaviour, whether they're in college, working in an embassy or running a jail in Iraq. Only the degree of violence and the victims change. The rest of the world just looks on in disgust and astonishment.

[nextgenman09]

You have to remember, the people these security firms hire are rejects. Hoot bumpkins. Military kick-outs. Non-professional, non-adults.

[jenniferpatterson]

You might want to get your facts straight:) Or do you just have a habit of stating your opinion as fact? Just in case you want to know the actual facts... It takes over 1 year to hire each individual. The background checks are extensive and are completed by the state department, by the way "Hoot Bumpkins" would never be able to pass this type of background/security investigation! You also might want to do a little more research on the experience that is required to get hired with these private security contractor companies! Most of those guys are prior top clearance Military personel involved in special missions and have the highest security clearances. There is no way any of them have been "Military Kick-outs", they would NEVER have passed the background investigation, intense security clearances or the prior experience requirements. Just thought you might want to know the actual facts:)

[4realsoldier]

Contractors misbehaving...nothing new..but what about the unprofessionalism in the ranks..Oh my bad it's a war going on that would never happen...apparently you don't know 10th sustainment brigade at camp taji iraq...promotes males over females for career positions constantly....no blacks considered for battlefield promotions....putting out memos to state no hip hop dancing...priceless hidden agendas..and the world wonders why soldiers have attitudes...we have to fight in this unit just to survive....gives a new meaning to soldiers duffering in silence.

[kansas1946]

A wide-ranging State Department inquiry into allegations of misconduct and mismanagement by a private security firm guarding the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan could lead to the termination of the company's $189 million contract, a department spokesman said Wednesday.
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Well, I would hope so. What a bunch of creeps.

[rpbohman]

Guarding our embassy, in a mostly-onservative country...wonderful example. A stunning example of American private enterprise. To ArmorGroup: Yer outta here...

[Benton09]

by despido September 2, 2009 8:09 PM EDT
Taking pictures of naked gaurds.... Wild party.

Taking naked pictures of the enemy.... Torture.

Happening on Obama's watch.... Priceless.
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Hired by the Bush Regime.....typical.

[pecandrive]

Is this Abu Ghraib or a U.S. Embassy?? I'm so confused.

[tincup356]

Every employee of the government should be fired,,,that would open up some jobs for HONEST citizens,,,,,It is time to stop these lie wars we are engaged in,,,they are a waste of money , time, and lives.....They do NOTHING to protect the country ,,,,,if they are worried about terrorist attacks here at home,,,,then secure OUR border......it was the failure of Immigration in the first place for any terrorists to have gotten into the country,,,,,just ANOTHER government CREATED problem,,,,,they can create them but they cannot solve anything,,,,,Not that they really want to,,,,,fighting these ghost terrorists puts a LOT of money into their pockets from the defense contractors and private contractors doing overseas work.,,,,and those contracts were paid for with lobby dollars,,,you can bet on it.

[User_00000000002945496845]

Limbaughricans are awful big on being "spot-on". It reminds me of break through bleeding.

[stn_sage]

Kelly acknowledged that ArmorGroup has been notified eight times of poor performance since the original contract was awarded in March 2007.
(from article)
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Well, they've had MORE THAN fair warning! It's time to CANCEL this contract NOW!

In light of the circumstances, this guard group being located in extremely hostile country, increased likelihood of terrorist acts, and hard-feelings and low morale amongst these guards; it is both unwise and negligent to allow this group to remain at their posts!

I still think it would be wise to deploy 3-4 companies of U.S.Marines from General McChrystal's command OR U.S.Army from NATO to relieve, hold, and defend the Kabul embassy!

Before the Taliban decide it's an opportunity to wage a little mayhem!?