Article

2017-04-04 Government

Blackwater founder held secret Seychelles meeting to establish Trump-Putin back channel

[WAPO] The United Arab Emirates arranged a secret meeting in January between Blackwater founder Erik Prince and a Russian close to President Vladimir Putin as part of an apparent effort to establish a back-channel line of communication between Moscow and President-elect Donald Trump, according to U.S., European and Arab officials.

The meeting took place around Jan. 11 -- nine days before Trump’s inauguration -- in the Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean, officials said. Though the full agenda remains unclear, the UAE agreed to broker the meeting in part to explore whether Russia could be persuaded to curtail its relationship with Iran, including in Syria, a Trump administration objective that would be likely to require major concessions to Moscow on U.S. sanctions.

Though Prince had no formal role with the Trump campaign or transition team, he presented himself as an unofficial envoy for Trump to high-ranking Emiratis involved in setting up his meeting with the Putin confidant, according to the officials, who did not identify the Russian.

Prince was an avid supporter of Trump. After the Republican convention, he contributed $250,000 to Trump’s campaign, the national party and a pro-Trump super PAC led by GOP mega-donor Rebekah Mercer, records show. He has ties to people in Trump’s circle, including Stephen K. Bannon, now serving as the president’s chief strategist and senior counselor. Prince’s sister Betsy DeVos serves as education secretary in the Trump administration. And Prince was seen in the Trump transition offices in New York in December.

U.S. officials said the FBI has been scrutinizing the Seychelles meeting as part of a broader probe of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and alleged contacts between associates of Putin and Trump. The FBI declined to comment.

Posted by Besoeker 2017-04-04 00:00|| || Front Page|| [12 views ] Top

#1 Good on them.

Posted by Skidmark 2017-04-04 00:15|| 2017-04-04 00:15|| Front Page Top

#2 That is correct, Skid. Every Prez sets up separate channels with this formidable competitor. Nothing illegal there.

Democrats are more soviet and communist than the Russians.

Democrats are the biggest threat to the US right now. They are all anti-Americans with alien doctrine and law and are plunging US into 3rd Country Hell every day.

I hate them and I want them to die in fire.

Posted by newc 2017-04-04 01:54|| 2017-04-04 01:54|| Front Page Top

#3 Since we have already established beyond any reasonable doubt that Trump is FSB agent, I fail to see the logic of an additional channel?

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2017-04-04 02:29|| 2017-04-04 02:29|| Front Page Top

#4 newc,

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
- Robert Frost

Posted by AlanC 2017-04-04 08:23|| 2017-04-04 08:23|| Front Page Top

#5 Since we have already established beyond any reasonable doubt that Trump is FSB agent, I fail to see the logic of an additional channel?
Posted by g(r)omgoru

I believe that would be 'deranged FSB agent.'

Posted by Besoeker 2017-04-04 09:02|| 2017-04-04 09:02|| Front Page Top

#6 I believe Trump is one of many that use Blackwater as their private security firm. Perhps wise to trust, but verify, when it comes to Secret Service protection of late.

Posted by Whavish Thusoling5684 2017-04-04 09:23|| 2017-04-04 09:23|| Front Page Top

#7 Also, Eric Prince is Betsy DeVos's brother.

Posted by Whavish Thusoling5684 2017-04-04 09:25|| 2017-04-04 09:25|| Front Page Top

#8 The meeting took place around Jan. 11 -- nine days before Trump’s inauguration -- in the Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean, officials said.

And there is nothing wrong with an incoming POTUS making overtures to Russian officials during the transition period despite the Donk's diligent and tireless efforts to establish a scandal where there is none. Reminds one of the Yahoos in Gulliver's Travels. (The Yahoos are primitive creatures obsessed with "pretty stones" they find by digging in mud.)

Posted by JohnQC 2017-04-04 09:31|| 2017-04-04 09:31|| Front Page Top

#9 How did the FBI obtain the intelligence 11 days before the inauguration? If being an avid supporter of Trump is criminal, and abuse of SIGENT has been used against the populace, we have had a coup.

Posted by Whavish Thusoling5684 2017-04-04 09:55|| 2017-04-04 09:55|| Front Page Top

#10 It is just smart to establish separate contact with a power that has their fingers in every Middle Eastern issue you will have to deal with. Especially since most of the State Department is suspect until you can clean them out.

Unofficial communication allows for plausible deniability and the option for leaders to actually say what is on their minds and not be destroyed in public over it.

Posted by DarthVader 2017-04-04 09:59|| 2017-04-04 09:59|| Front Page Top

#11 Unofficial communication allows for plausible deniability and the option for leaders to actually say what is on their minds and not be destroyed in public over it.
Posted by DarthVader

Besides, Erik Prince doesn't really give a fok what the media or Washington disestablishment think.

Posted by Besoeker 2017-04-04 11:01|| 2017-04-04 11:01|| Front Page Top

#12 (The Yahoos are primitive creatures obsessed with "pretty stones" they find by digging in mud.)

I thought that was the sounds coming from Marisa Meyers financial advisors office.

Posted by Capsu78 2017-04-04 11:54|| 2017-04-04 11:54|| Front Page Top

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