About Me

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I saw active service in conventional, clandestine and covert units of the South African Defence Force. I was the founder of the Private Military Company (PMC) Executive Outcomes in 1989 and its chairman until I left in 1997. Until its closure in 1998, EO operated primarily in Africa helping African governments that had been abandoned by the West and were facing threats from insurgencies, terrorism and organised crime. EO also operated in South America and the Far East. I believe that only Africans (Black and White) can truly solve Africa’s problems. I was appointed Chairman of STTEP International in 2009 and also lecture at military colleges and universities in Africa on defence, intelligence and security issues. Prior to the STTEP International appointment, I served as an independent politico-military advisor to several African governments. Until recently, I was a contributing editor to The Counter Terrorist magazine. All comments in line with the topics on this blog are welcome. As I consider this to be a serious look at military and security matters, foul language and political or religious debates will not be entertained on this blog.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

AN APOLOGY FROM EXECUTIVE OUTCOMES PROTECTIVE SERVICES


In early June 2012, Jason alerted me to a company posing as the reborn Executive Outcomes. Not only did Executive Outcomes Protective Services (EOPS) imply that they traced their origins back to the real EO, they also claimed that I had died...These lies were placed on their website (www.eopssecurity.com)

In response to these fraudulent claims, I posted my view on the matter on my blog on 11 June 2012. See http://eebenbarlowsmilitaryandsecurityblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-early-demiseby-eops.html I also asked a certain Mr M Dominguez to respond to my questions on my untimely death. He never did.

I was once again alerted to EOPS by Jason who directed me to an entry at http://wolfesteel2000.blogspot.com/2012/09/eeben-barlow.html submitted by Charles Wolfe, the newly appointed Regional Manager for the notorious EOPS. His apology on the net reads as follows:

On behalf of Executive Outcome Protective Services I would like to apologize for the way our website has been written. Mr. Dominguez greatly regrets not speaking to anyone for advise on how the Company History should have been written.
E.O.P.S. had no intentions of portraying that our employees came from your founded EO company. Mr. Dominguez was very inspired by your professionalism and dedication and wanted only to be portrayed in the same manner. We have great respect for what you have done in South Africa and abroad, and would like for you to understand what we are trying to accomplish here in South Florida by providing security services with the same mindset and goals such as yours.
I will be changing the way it is written as the Newly appointed Regional Manager. And again we apologize for the misunderstanding.

To be fair, it takes some courage to have to write an apology regarding gross misrepresentation.  Charles Wolfe was true to his word and some changes were made on their website, most importantly writing the “late” me out of their site.

However, on their website, they still refer to themselves as “Executive Outcomes”. Some folks just don’t get it. Whereas imitation may be a great form of flattery, false testimony does not endear one to the bearer of that testimony.

I would like to wish EOPS well with their business but as long as they infer their origins, I cannot do that. 

Monday, February 11, 2013

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2013


I apologise for being late this year in wishing my Chinese friends a very happy New Year – a traditional Chinese celebration that began yesterday, 10 February 2013.  

The Chinese New Year (also known as the Lunar New Year) takes place in the early months of our calendar year, typically in January or February. In 2013, the Lunar New Year began on 10th February and its beginning marks 15 days of celebration and the start of the Year of the Snake.

The celebrations will culminate in the Lantern Festival on 25th February.

According to Chinese tradition, each year is dedicated to a specific animal, these being the following 12 animals:  Boar, Dragon, Dog, Horse, Monkey, Ox, Rat, Rabbit, Ram, Rooster, Snake and Tiger. It is believed that each of these animals bestow their characteristics to the people born in their year.

The Year of the Snake (2013) heralds the end of the Year of the Dragon (2012).

May you all have a very happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Snake.

Gong Xi Fa Ca and Gong Hei Fa Choi!