The State Department has adopted a policy of “denial with certain exceptions” regarding arms exports for the security firm EP Investments, LLC or EPI, (a/k/a Blackwater). While the Department recognizes Blackwater’s recent creation of its Export Compliance Committee and will work with them allowing certain exceptions to be made, the “presumption of denial” is necessary to provide the U.S. Government with assurance that EPI is both capable and willing to comply with the AECA (Arms Export Control Act) and ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and will do so.
Given Blackwater’s sometimes high profile activities around the world, this new policy seems geared toward making certain the company operates within the applicable laws. The policy does state exports may still take place under certain conditions with approval on a case by case basis as long as specific procedures are followed which are carefully outlined.
Link: Source
Link: Blackwater Export Compliance Committee