tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post3548131827135962444..comments2024-02-06T08:33:52.695+02:00Comments on Eeben Barlow's Military and Security Blog: PROGRESS IS SLOW...Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-30840181731900029762010-02-21T12:03:53.940+02:002010-02-21T12:03:53.940+02:00Roger....will do.
Take care and I will be in touc...Roger....will do.<br /><br />Take care and I will be in touch,<br /><br />MarkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-19192742033330443722010-02-21T08:34:03.722+02:002010-02-21T08:34:03.722+02:00Well, I needed to go through a lot of stuff to unl...Well, I needed to go through a lot of stuff to unlock parts of my dormant brain, Mark. <br /><br />Beirut? I am sure it has changed somewhat since I was there many years ago. A lovely but dodgy place. <br /><br />Keep your head down and good luck – and keep writing your book.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-61259668598112461272010-02-21T08:31:45.648+02:002010-02-21T08:31:45.648+02:00The document you refer to has been on the internet...The document you refer to has been on the internet for years, Lalie, it is nothing new. In fact, it is on more than just on an Austrian server. <br /><br />The Special Forces soldiers you refer to are not selling strategies. A strategy is something which is planned at government level and they are training a unit and sub-unit level. Besides, they are ex-SF members and ex-SADF members. After they were so viciously betrayed by the old government, would you rather they joined the ranks of organised crime? I think that would push our crime levels beyond anything possible at the moment. <br /><br />As for EO exposing crime – I am not going to go into details but read the real history – stock-theft on Lesotho border, diamond smuggling into SA, illegal shipments organised form SA to Angola, etc, etc.<br /><br />I have no problem with anyone’s accusations re me and EO. All they have to do is provide substance to back up their allegations. Having been the subject of many police investigations based on misinformation, I am not sure what else I can be accused of. <br /><br />Of course I am still angry. Some men in EO lost their lives because of people trying to hide agendas and even passing on information on EO to the rebels. Who wouldn’t be angry? <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-10771262238421719752010-02-21T07:56:18.196+02:002010-02-21T07:56:18.196+02:00Good to be in contact with you Eeben. Yes the inc...Good to be in contact with you Eeben. Yes the incident/s you recalled were rather fun weren't they?...lets stay in touch as you have just opened a closed file in my somewhat dormant brain.<br /><br />Cheers and good luck,<br /><br />Mark<br /><br />PS: I am still in Beirut so I will be updating you on the next punch-up which is sure to start one day soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-61929518913813158322010-02-20T21:17:03.070+02:002010-02-20T21:17:03.070+02:00Hallo Eeben
Thanks for your reply although most o...Hallo Eeben<br /><br />Thanks for your reply although most of it is angry. Guess I had it coming. Unfortunately I still do not get it. <br /><br />Since when can any country's special force personnel sell their war strategies to foreigners? If this is happening in Africa as you say, I am very worried.<br /><br />Crime is flaming up all over the world yes, South Africa is just the Crime Capital and statistics now available by street corner. <br /><br />Maybe you should give the SA public access to your books, it will give them an equal opportunity.<br /><br />Did you say your company exposed Apartheid Gov Officials? To whom, jail birds? and for which crime, having a backbone to actually act in the interest of it's citizens? <br /><br />The Stander name you mentioned, sound to be a Boer. The docoment I refered to is hosted on Austrian server and written in afrikaans by a SA local but defenitaly not a Boer. Futher to this I do not think EO as company name was mentioned this time (sorry), only your name along with other afrikaners. Will try to trace it again and send the link. <br /><br />Glad to hear the media fixed their wrong doings. Hope they publish it as eager a they did before. Never compare me with the media, I may ask a question which boils down to an unfair accusation, but I do it when concerned and maybe angry, not when out for a kill.<br /><br />LalieZA TRADEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09900961619825176630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-18070004382232976302010-02-20T13:22:41.561+02:002010-02-20T13:22:41.561+02:00Mark, you old devil! I recall us once ambushing a ...Mark, you old devil! I recall us once ambushing a FAPLA anti-aircraft team – being chased by their forces for several hours and then having no choice to charge headlong into a SWAPO base. You raced in to “extract” us after we did some extreme damage there – and then everyone was suddenly chasing us. We had to build an improvised pontoon to get our Buffels across the Cunene. <br /><br />Many years later, I actually met the FAPLA and SWAPO commanders who we whacked and we had a good talk over what happened.<br /><br />Yes, I do owe you and I really want you to write that book.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-20388870117630305242010-02-20T12:12:14.856+02:002010-02-20T12:12:14.856+02:00It's Mark Eeben.....you owe me oneIt's Mark Eeben.....you owe me oneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-58045298853629377232010-02-20T11:08:30.091+02:002010-02-20T11:08:30.091+02:00I am thrilled that you are writing a book on your ...I am thrilled that you are writing a book on your recollections, fatfox9. I believe that we should document history as we saw it and not as others would want the world to see it. It is very difficult as times does have a way of making things disappear. <br /><br />I really enjoyed visiting and reading your blog and think it is very good reading. Thanks for passing your link to us.<br /><br />I am intrigued. I am wracking my brain – Mike Charlie??? Were we in 32 Recce at the same time? Please put me out of my misery.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-34807730363320282222010-02-20T10:59:10.631+02:002010-02-20T10:59:10.631+02:00Some interesting – if totally misguided comments, ...Some interesting – if totally misguided comments, Lalie.<br /><br />I hardly see anyone making money with 1000 books as that is what will be printed for the commercial market. However, there have been MANY books written on war and conflict in Africa as well as numerous other books on strategy and tactics. Also, I am not acting against the interest of my own nation – what a silly comment. If that is what you know, then you seem to know more about me – as do many others - than I do. Of course, judging by your comments you seem to also know a lot more about the conflicts and wars in Africa than I do but the reality is that ALL armies in Africa, regardless of where they are, have ways in which they do things. As for information technology, I am no technology wizard but I do understand “intelligence” and “intelligence gathering”. I also understand that EO had to be stopped as we started exposing crimes involving senior (old SA) government officials – and that has been documented. <br /><br />As for the current security situation in SA: As I don’t work in SA, I don’t feel I am qualified to answer your concerns. However, take a look at Europe and elsewhere – crime is on the rise and SA is no exception. <br /><br />As for EO being responsible for Afrikaner genocide – I have never heard of such rubbish, unless of course you are referring to a certain “journalist” making comments on his blog, something he got from a South African intelligence operation. Ironically, I have been accused of many things and the basis thereof has always been “unnamed sources”. Do you for one moment think that the Afrikaners who served in EO would act against their own? If that is what you believe, then you know your own even less than I do. However, the document you refer to is not a “new” one but was a deliberate operation executed by a certain Mr Stander and sold to the same Intelligence service he worked for. It has been in circulation for several years. The last I heard of him was that he was charged with fraud on numerous other issues unrelated to EO. <br /><br />I would strongly suggest you make very sure of your facts before levelling accusations that are based on falsehoods. At least, the media had the courage to admit that they had been duped about EO. Unfortunately, there are those who would rather see the entire continent in chaos with no regard for the results thereof. <br /><br />So, to answer your first question: Yes, you are missing something.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-53265847766837141822010-02-20T10:28:29.411+02:002010-02-20T10:28:29.411+02:00Thanks Jared. I can only try my best...
Rgds,
Ee...Thanks Jared. I can only try my best...<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-81231314212041206272010-02-20T07:47:11.216+02:002010-02-20T07:47:11.216+02:00Good luck with the book Eeben. I have also starte...Good luck with the book Eeben. I have also started to put my recollections of 30 years military service on record. Not always easy as time fades the memory.<br /><br />Please have a look at my blog and I intend to link to you if you dont mind. <br />http://fatfox9.wordpress.com/<br /><br />Although I never served with you in EO I have fond and sometimes painful memeories of our time together at 32 Bn Recce Wing.<br /><br />Take care and hang in there.<br /><br />Mike Charlie (Romeo 3)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-3278645802097635532010-02-19T10:58:58.374+02:002010-02-19T10:58:58.374+02:00Hallo Eeben,
Do I miss something? For what reason...Hallo Eeben,<br /><br />Do I miss something? For what reason would you give away knowledge to the world on how to make war in Africa and act thus against your own nation’s interest... Money? War is fought with information technology today, yet you mentioned limited knowledge in this regard. I did not read any of your books yet but will soon try to do so. It sound very interesting but alarming for reasons mentioned above. <br />About the security business. <br />In South Africa today, we experience the population being motivated to imprison themselves with security in mind. Yet this security never seems to protect a sole but actually assist with monitoring and restricting residents movements. Thus empowering the criminals to make informed decisions, buy enough time, and operate uninterrupted? It reminds me of warnings during my school days, early 80’s. Somehow our prescribed book of those days “Ons wag op die Kaptein” also relate to this issue. <br />With regards to the facebook Identity fraud, I would say that it is least of your problems. Since 2004 I stumbled on publications which seem to relate to you. At first I could not help smiling at the obvious lies born out of jealousy. The latest one though… claims Executive Outcomes is a private military company ….responsible for Afrikaner genocide. <br />It is a so-called top secret documents but traceable by anyone who google your name or use other search engines like Highbeam. <br />The potential EXECUTIVE OUTCOME of such betrayal situation maybe the best seller of all times and I guess someone else is already busy writing such a book . Sure will overshadow both Shapiro and Siener v Rensburg's capabilities.ZA TRADEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09900961619825176630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-86598129488107210652010-02-19T03:30:42.106+02:002010-02-19T03:30:42.106+02:00I'm sure that whatever the book will be, it wi...I'm sure that whatever the book will be, it will be worth consuming and understanding. I look forward to it's release - much to learn.<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Jareduserdudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09118041149975533888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-15739786464420414732010-02-16T19:23:34.075+02:002010-02-16T19:23:34.075+02:00I hope to have it up soon, JOhn.
Rgds,
EebenI hope to have it up soon, JOhn.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-88128098826637655212010-02-16T15:24:49.320+02:002010-02-16T15:24:49.320+02:00Now that is worth a chuckle! My wife performs that...Now that is worth a chuckle! My wife performs that vital task for me as well as many others - Thank God.<br /><br />I do look forward to your next work.<br /><br />Thanks again,<br />JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14052355800345172823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-14676334878199575502010-02-16T10:53:53.101+02:002010-02-16T10:53:53.101+02:00More than just pleasantly, John. My wife says I no...More than just pleasantly, John. My wife says I now need a bigger hat!<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-36041714091143997912010-02-15T18:41:17.949+02:002010-02-15T18:41:17.949+02:00I do hope pleasantly surprised - that was my inten...I do hope pleasantly surprised - that was my intent.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14052355800345172823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-4888461811113940082010-02-15T17:44:52.732+02:002010-02-15T17:44:52.732+02:00I am still gobsmacked by your review, John. But, I...I am still gobsmacked by your review, John. But, I need to hastily point out that EO was a success because of the men in the company. I simply sat in the tiger’s saddle. <br /><br />I love Africa despite its many problems. I have always been treated extremely well wherever I have gone and I have made many, many very good friends in African armies and governments. What I do know is that they are constantly lied to, deceived and cheated. If I can play a positive role in helping them resolve these conflicts, I will do it. <br /><br />Thanks again.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-76909291016182853642010-02-15T17:27:47.730+02:002010-02-15T17:27:47.730+02:00I can appreciate that Erik Prince will not be able...I can appreciate that Erik Prince will not be able to write everything he would like to write about, John, as I am sure that he will be bound by secrecy agreements – that I can understand and fully support. However, where he has been purposely maligned – he should expose those things – as well as name those involved. <br /><br />There have been some really good comments from our friends here.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-59247721041137347332010-02-15T17:25:04.416+02:002010-02-15T17:25:04.416+02:00Eeben,
You are more than welcome - your book is a...Eeben,<br /><br />You are more than welcome - your book is a fabulous work and has been one of few that have affected me so much (China Pilot and Flying through Midnight are two others in the non-fiction world that have really made me pause for thought)that I had to write such a lengthy review.<br /><br />This world, and why we are in constant conflict, is very complex and single line thinking will never solve anything - Africa's misery will unfortunately continue for decades until everyone comes to their senses. You have taken a very complex situation and written about it as well as anyone could have - and as a neophyte writer. That says something about your adaptability - probably why EO was a success.<br /><br />I look forward to your next work<br /><br />Regards,<br />JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14052355800345172823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-21538214727732242302010-02-15T17:14:08.391+02:002010-02-15T17:14:08.391+02:00Eeben,
Great thread going here - will Erik Prince...Eeben,<br /><br />Great thread going here - will Erik Prince write an in depth account of Blackwater like EO?<br /><br />I'll hold judgement until his in- depth explanation of his company comes out. There has to be alot more there than what he has agreed to release.<br /><br />JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14052355800345172823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-51599403602255114582010-02-15T17:09:53.727+02:002010-02-15T17:09:53.727+02:00Many thanks to you for taking the time to write su...Many thanks to you for taking the time to write such a critical analysis of the book, John. I am truly grateful. In my pitiful self-defence, remember that I am not a writer so my style – if one can even call it that – is not that of a classical writer. In fact, I only learnt how to use a computer when I started writing the book. Before that, I didn’t even know where the “On” button was. <br /><br /><br />EO went through a very steep learning curve – and we had to do it rather quickly as we were bound by accepted contracts in terms of finances against end-goals and couldn’t return with hat-in-hand stating we had run out of money. <br /><br /><br />Your feelings and mine coincide exactly on the UN. I have had the great misfortune of seeing them in several places – and witnessed their incompetence. Rwanda was a disgrace to say the least. DRC is beyond that at the moment yet still they continue. But no one seems to really take note of what is happening or even care. <br /><br /><br />The old men who ran our logistics were truly the unsung heroes. They worked tirelessly to support the men in the field and did an outstanding job, especially given how few they were and how much they had to do. But, many other people who were not mentioned in the book did equally well. <br /><br /><br />The Rugby World Cup delaying a strategic operation was indeed amusing to me when I was told that the advance would be delayed. But, I know then that the morale was good and after the historic win (Yes, Stransky was brilliant!) I just knew that the men would be successful.<br /><br /><br />Many pages did end up on the editor’s floor but I could do nothing to stop that. I know put it down to “Lessons Learnt”. <br /><br /><br />When I left EO – and even whilst writing the book – I had no intention of ever trying to help Africa resolve its problems. But, shortly after the book was published, I got a few calls asking me to help. These came from East, West and Central Africa. So, I swallowed my words, made peace with my undertakings and went back to help where I can. <br /><br /><br />The media (as you know) finally apologised in a full page article in the SA paper The Star. Too bad for us that they only realised years after they had led the disinformation campaign against us that they had been misled by those with vested interests. Whereas Blackwater may possibly deserve criticism (as EO did) the media are again leading the campaign. I hope Erik Prince will one day expose those who worked with false agendas. Regardless of the apology, I have no sympathy for the old guard media and they are now reaping what they sowed. <br /><br />My sincere thanks to you for your comments.<br /><br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-5902192154403865692010-02-15T16:42:29.061+02:002010-02-15T16:42:29.061+02:00I am trying to give some guidance in the book Jare...I am trying to give some guidance in the book Jared but it will examine numerous factors in Africa that lead to war and how such wars can be successfully countered. I do however see it more as a text/guidebook on how to conduct operations in Africa.<br /><br />I do briefly discuss the views of some of the classical strategists as they apply to Africa. I feel that these views do have a role to play but are not all important. <br /><br />It is still early days for me but I am progressing well – in my mind, at least!<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-74128074439839400482010-02-15T16:38:22.900+02:002010-02-15T16:38:22.900+02:00Whereas you list several reasons why the US will e...Whereas you list several reasons why the US will encounter problems in Africa, James, but you also need to remember that as a whole Africa has been let down many times. I do however agree with your points but also need to add that AFRICOM was established primarily to assist with influence in Africa. Doing business in Africa isn’t just about paying bribes – that was something the West (yes, the West) developed in Africa and the East has simply exploited it to the hilt. In part, this is what the resource race is now about – who will out-bribe the next...instead of showing what benefits will be forthcoming. <br /><br />There are numerous smaller US companies doing successful business in Africa and I think that as the “resource war” hots up, more will try to enter to stake their claims. But of course, they need to ensure that their investments are protected. But, we also see a situation where the bad guys are getting good publicity and this in itself creates numerous problems. <br /><br />The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act I cannot comment but I am aware of its existence. Your points are this issue are well taken. <br /><br />Your part3: Yes, the US believed (rightly so) that “my enemy’s enemy is my friend” but this got out of hand. In fact, it is this very reason that led to what we saw in Zaire and elsewhere – using the US as an intimidation factor to those who did not agree with them. When those governments toppled, they dragged the US into their mess – and as you say, people don’t forget.<br /><br />Thanks for your summation – it was very good.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-86089221805942495912010-02-15T16:11:28.749+02:002010-02-15T16:11:28.749+02:00False invoicing is always a problem, Robby but it ...False invoicing is always a problem, Robby but it is not restricted to the PMCs. However, if companies have a “blank cheque” to operate with, there will always be people who will exploit it. <br /><br />As I have stated before, if companies earn their contracts as opposed to being given them – and they go through the procedure of quoting on a specific task, it becomes difficult to do this. There is no blank cheque to work with and an end result must be delivered at the quoted price.<br /><br />Yes, I have read EP’s story. But, I also know that he has been a target for some time and in that sense I can sympathise with him. If the latest stories are true, then my concern simply rises re the PR for the industry.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.com