State Department cannot account for camera denial

The State Department is having trouble telling reporters why it denied Blackwater's request in 2005 that the company be allowed to mount cameras on its diplomatic security vehicles. The security people wanted the cameras to record their movements on the streets and to chronicle any attacks or possible misconduct.

According to the Washington Times, "Asked why the department had rejected Blackwater's request, spokesman Tom Casey said on Thursday [October 19]: 'I have no reason to believe that actually occurred. ... I've never heard that that idea was ever proposed.'

"Later that day, a Blackwater official said the company had received an indication from DS that Mr. Casey's remark would be 'corrected.' Mr. Casey was given an opportunity to do that on Friday, but said he had nothing to add to what he had said the day before."