MONEY DOESN'T TALK, IT SWEARS, LIES, CHEATS.

So, Blackwater, the private security firm that has such an appalling record in Iraq where it was contracted by the US government to protect its people, despite their being a massive occupying military force at the same time, has reached a settlement over criminal charges. This is in the region of $42 million. It has changed its name, now Xe, a Limited Liability Company and continues to be awarded contracts by the US government, most recently to protect the CIA in Kabul, this being worth $100 million.

Despite clear evidence of illegal shipments of arms, various assaults and killings that took place in Iraq and the potential for a criminal case against individuals and the company, effectively they have been fined instead. For the US government this is quite satisfactory as it means some of the blame for the abuses and deaths that have occurred during the occupation have been laid at the feet of a different organisation, although in the pay of the government, they get to recoup some of the money paid out, and no further spotlight is put upon the cases. And the principle of using private contractors for what are plain clothed armed paramilitary operations remains unchallenged.

The history of the Blackwater organisation, like much American recent history, is almost too weird and un-wonderful to believe. Founded by an ex-US Navy seal, Eric Prince in 1997, who apparently entirely of his own volition, bought a huge area in North Carolina called, I kid you not, The Great Dismal Swamp, (hence the name Blackwater), and set up a paramilitary training camp. The permission to do this was presumably granted at high level. The Bush administration then gave contracts to the company to provide additional 'security ' for other ' security ' personnel both in the US and in war zones. Not being a part of the Army, Navy or Air Force what controls or disciplinary procedures they operate under it is impossible to know.

Five former executives may still face prosecution. Eric Prince, the founder, who has given up his role as CEO, now lives in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has no extradition agreement with the USA.