Economic Hitmen

 Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

Author(s) John Perkins
Language English
Publisher Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Publication date 2004
Pages 250p
ISBN 0-452-28708-1
OCLC Number 55138900


Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a book written by John Perkins and published in 2004.

It provides Perkins' account of his career with consulting firm Chas. T. Main in Boston.

Before employment with the firm, he interviewed for a job with the National Security Agency

(NSA). Perkins claims that this interview effectively constituted an independent screening

which led to his subsequent hiring by Einar Greve[1], a member of the firm (and alleged NSA

liaison) to become a self-described "economic hit man". The book was allegedly referred to

in an audio tape released by Osama Bin Laden in September 2009.

According to Perkins, he began writing Confessions of an Economic Hit Man in the 1980s, but

"threats or bribes always convinced [him] to stop."

According to his book, Perkins' function was to convince the political and financial

leadership of underdeveloped countries to accept enormous development loans from

institutions like the World Bank and USAID. Saddled with debts they could not hope to pay,

those countries were forced to acquiesce to political pressure from the United States on a

variety of issues. Perkins argues in his book that developing nations were effectively

neutralized politically, had their wealth gaps driven wider and economies crippled in the

long run. In this capacity Perkins recounts his meetings with some prominent individuals,

including Graham Greene and Omar Torrijos. Perkins describes the role of an EHM as follows:

Economic hit men (EHMs) are highly-paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe

out of trillions of dollars. They funnel money from the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for

International Development (USAID), and other foreign "aid" organizations into the coffers of

huge corporations and the pockets of a few wealthy families who control the planet's natural

resources. Their tools included fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs,

extortion, sex, and murder. They play a game as old as empire, but one that has taken on new

and terrifying dimensions during this time of globalization.

The epilogue to the 2006 edition provides a rebuttal to the current move by the G8 nations

to forgive Third World debt. Perkins charges that the proposed conditions for this debt

forgiveness require countries to privatise their health, education, electric, water and

other public services. Those countries would also have to discontinue subsidies and trade

restrictions that support local business, but accept the continued subsidization of certain

G8 businesses by the US and other G8 countries, and the erection of trade barriers on

imports that threaten G8 industries.

In the book, Perkins repeatedly denies the existence of a "conspiracy." Instead, Perkins

carefully discusses the role of corporatocracy.[3] - November 4, 2004 interview

I was initially recruited while I was in business school back in the late sixties by the

National Security Agency, the nation’s largest and least understood spy organization; but

ultimately I worked for private corporations. The first real economic hit man was back in

the early 1950s, Kermit Roosevelt, Jr., the grandson of Teddy, who overthrew the government

of Iran, a democratically elected government, Mossadegh’s government who was Time‘s magazine

person of the year; and he was so successful at doing this without any bloodshed—well, there

was a little bloodshed, but no military intervention, just spending millions of dollars and

replaced Mossadegh with the Shah of Iran. At that point, we understood that this idea of

economic hit man was an extremely good one. We didn’t have to worry about the threat of war

with Russia when we did it this way. The problem with that was that Roosevelt was a C.I.A.

agent. He was a government employee. Had he been caught, we would have been in a lot of

trouble. It would have been very embarrassing. So, at that point, the decision was made to

use organizations like the C.I.A. and the N.S.A. to recruit potential economic hit men like

me and then send us to work for private consulting companies, engineering firms,

construction companies, so that if we were caught, there would be no connection with the

government.

Controversy and criticism

Some of the book's critics have questioned whether Perkins makes a significant contribution

to the debate on global finance and the development of the Third World. For instance,

columnist Mark Engler of In These Times, has written that "the actual content of Perkins'

admissions proves distressingly thin."[4] According to the New York Times, "the book's

popularity seems driven more by the mix of cloak-and-dagger atmospherics and Mr. Perkins's

Damascene conversion" than by insight into "the larger issue of America's role in emerging

economies."[5]

Columnist Sebastian Mallaby of the Washington Post reacted sharply to Perkins' book[6]:

"This man is a frothing conspiracy theorist, a vainglorious peddler of nonsense, and yet his

book, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, is a runaway bestseller." Mallaby, who spent 13

years writing for the London Economist and wrote a critically well-received biography of

World Bank chief James Wolfensohn,[7] holds that Perkins' conception of international

finance is "largely a dream" and that his "basic contentions are flat wrong."[6] For

instance he points out that Indonesia reduced its infant mortality and illiteracy rates by

two-thirds after economists persuaded its leaders to borrow money in 1970. He also disputes

Perkins' claim that 51 of the top 100 world economies belong to companies. A value-added

comparison done by the UN, he says, shows the number to be 29. (The 51 of 100 data comes

from an Institute for Policy Studies Dec, 2000 Report on the Top 200 corporations; using

2010 data from the CIA's World Factbook and Fortune Global 500[8][9] the current ratio is

114 corporations in the top 200 global economies.)

Other sources, including articles in the New York Times and Boston Magazine as well as a

press release issued by the United States Department of State, have referred to a lack of

documentary or testimonial evidence to corroborate the claim that the NSA was involved in

his hiring to Chas T. Main. In addition, the author of the State Department release states

that the NSA "is a cryptological (codemaking and codebreaking) organization, not an economic

organization" and that its missions do not involve "anything remotely resembling placing

economists at private companies in order to increase the debt of foreign countries."[10]

Economic historian Niall Ferguson writes in his book The Ascent of Money that Perkins's

contention that the leaders of Ecuador (President Jaime Roldós Aguilera) and Panama (General

Omar Torrijos) were assassinated by US agents for opposing the interests of the owners of

their countries' foreign debt "seems a little odd" in light of the fact that in the 1970s

the amount of money that the US had lent to Ecuador and Panama accounted for less than 0.4%

of the total US grants and loans, while in 1990 the exports from the US to those countries

accounted for approximately 0.4% of the total US exports (approximately $8 billion).

According to Ferguson, those "do not seem like figures worth killing for."[11]

In popular culture
In 2008, The live electronic group Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) debuted a song titled

Economic Hitman (EHM).
In 2009, the documentary film Apologies of an Economic Hit Man featuring interviews with

Perkins, was shown at film festivals around the U.S. The film is a Greek - U.S.

co-production directed by Stelios Kouloglou, and was filmed in 2007 and 2008. Numerous

interview-style statements by John Perkins also appear in the 2008 documentary film,

Zeitgeist: Addendum.
The song Confessions of an Economic Hitman on Anti Flag's album For Blood and Empire makes

several references to the book.
In year 2010 the song A Worldly Kinda Economic Hitman by Ecuadorian band Los Batracios was

written about John Perkins' book.

References
^ http://www.economichitman.com/pix/veracitymemo.pdf by Steven Piersanti, President and

Publisher, Berrett-Koehler Publishers March 7, 2005
^ Otterman, Sharon; Mackey, Robert (2009-09-14). "Bin Laden's Reading List for Americans".

The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
^ "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man: How the U.S. Uses Globalization to Cheat Poor

Countries Out of Trillions". Democracy Now: The war and peace report. 9 Nov 04. Retrieved

2009-01-09.
^ Engler, Mark, "Failures of a Hit Man," In These Times, April 18, 2005.
^ Confessing to the Converted, by Thomas Jr., Landon, New York Times, Sec. 3, Col, 1, p. 1,

2006-02-19.
^ a b The Facts Behind the 'Confessions' by Sebastian Mallaby, Washington Post Op-Ed,

2006-02-26
^ The Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/opinion/columns/mallabysebastian/.
^ The CIA World Factbook
^ The Fortune 500 list
^ "Confessions – or Fantasies – of an Economic Hit Man?". US Department of State.

2006-05-10. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
^ Niall Ferguson, The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World, Penguin Books,

2008. ISBN 978-0-14-311617-2

Ahmad Gran's Invasion

INTRODUCTION

Ancient Egypt covers virtually the northeastern region of Africa with a further extension into the Middle East. It was a centre of commerce, where different people and races come all the way to trade their substance in exchange for Egyptian goods such as, grains and other food crops as well as their artistic creations. The Nile river valley being a centre of attraction in ancient Egypt; considering the wealth that tinges its vicinity, experienced series of invasions that was geared toward the total control of the valley.

One of these invasions experienced, was that of Ahmad Gran, which occurred in Ethiopia: a northeastern country situated proxy to the horn of Africa. We cannot discuss this event without having the knowledge of who the invader is and his purpose for invading Ethiopia.

WHO IS AHMAD GRAN

Imam Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, also known as Ahmad Gran (the left-handed) by the Ethiopians, was born on the 21^st of February 1507near Zeila, a port city located in northwestern Somalia, which was then a part of Adal, a Muslim state tributary to the Christian Ethiopian Solomonic dynasty.

Traditionally, Gran sometimes has been interpreted as being an Arab in Ethiopia; he is most often identified by scholars and historical sources as a native of Somalia.

However, although Somali clans; principally the Habar Magadle Isaaq, the Harti Daarood and the Mareehaan, played a strong role in Gran’s conquest of Abyssinia, these clans went to war not so much as Somalis but Muslims.

Gran married Bati del Wambara, the daughter of Mahfuz, governor of Zeila.

THE RISE OF AHMAD GRAN

When Mahfuz was killed returning from a campaign against the Ethiopian emperor Lebna Dengel in 1517 and Zeila was burnt by the Portuguese, the Adal sultanate lapsed into anarchy, which led to the murder of Sultan Muhammad in 1518 and thereafter five sultans fell in a two-year period.

During this time of intense turmoil in Adal, Ahmad Gran fought and killed the last of the contenders for power and rose to prominence in Harar: a place established by the Meccan Immigrants.

Ahmad Gran’s control of Harar attracted Islamic scholars, Sufi Mystics and Ashraf: family members that claim direct descent from the prophet Muhammad. Gran was greatly influenced by many Islamic scholars arriving from the Arabian Peninsula in the 1490s, preaching to him about JIHAD (Holy War). He used these scholars as the leaders of peasants and nomads that formed his army.

Gran also received support from Muslims outside Adal as well as the Ottomans who had taken over Egypt in 1517, whose interest was to unite the Middle East and gain control of the Red Sea Coasts and Yemen.

Gran, being repulsed by the secular Muslim rule, travelled out into the countryside and began preaching powerful charismatic messages. He proclaimed himself an Imam and began conscripting the Soamlis into his army.

After building an army, Gran returned to the area of Harar and gained the support of the Jihad followers of Amir Mahfuz by marrying Mahfuz’s daughter. He killed the secular Sultan Abu Baker, with whom he had shared the region with for some time and he installed the Sultan’s brother as a puppet king, thereby gaining full control of Adal.

REASONS FOR THE INVASION

Primarily, Gran’s reason for invading Ethiopia was based on retaliation: he attacked Ethiopia in 1529 in retaliation to the constant attack on Adal especially the attack of Ethiopian General Degalhan in the previous year.

Secondarily, Gran, while campaigning discovered rich pasturelands of the Ethiopian Highlands; in envy he wanted it to be a colony of Somalia so as to enjoy the land’s wealth, thereby enriching his people.

More so, Gran invaded Ethiopia based on the idea of uniting the Middle East, which was actually the aim of the ottomans that helped him with firearms such as cannons for his invasion to help them gain control over the Red Sea Coasts and Yemen.

Gran invaded Ethiopia, although his troops were fearful of their opponents and attempted to flee upon the news that the Ethiopians was approaching. Gran contained the discipline of most of his men, thereby defeating Emperor Lebna Dengel at SHIMBRA KURE that March.

AHMAD GRAN’S INVASION

Capitalizing on all these factors and having consolidated power in Adal, Gran openly encouraged war with Ethiopia by refusing to pay tribute. When the Ethiopian army invaded Adal in 1527 Gran’s forces defeated the emperor’s army.

Later in 1531, Gran campaigned in Ethiopia, breaking Emperor Lebna Dengel’s ability to resist in the Battle of AMBA SEL on October 28. The Muslim army of Ahmad Gran then, marched northward to loot the island monastery of LAKE HAYQ and the stone churches of LALIBELA. When Gran entered the province of TIGRAY he defeated the Ethiopian army that confronted him there. On reaching AXUM, he destroyed the church of OUR LADY MARY OF ZION, in which the emperors had for centuries been crowned.

Thus, the Ethiopians were forced to ask for help from the Portuguese, who landed at the port of MASSAWA on February 16 1541, during the reign of Emperor Gelawdewos. The force was led by CRISTAVAO DA GAMA and included 400 musketeers as well as a number of artisans and non combatants. Da Gama and Gran met on april 1^st 1542, at JARTE otherwise known as ANASA, between Amba Alagi and Lake Ashenge. At this juncture, it was clearly stated that Gran’s army remained a shaky coalition of tribes under Somali chiefs who were still used to the raider cycle – that is victory, looting and disappearing. Thus despite his victory, he had to return to Somali territory; restore order and stir up jihad fervour in his troops.

On April 4, after the two unfamiliar armies had exchanged messages and stared at each other for a few days, da Gama formed his troops into an infantry square and marched against the Imam's lines, repelling successive waves of Muslim attacks with musket and cannon. This battle ended when Imam Ahmad was wounded in the leg by a chance shot; seeing his banners signal retreat, the Portuguese and their Ethiopian allies fell upon the disorganized Muslims, who suffered losses but managed to reform next to the river on the distant side.

Over the next several days, Imam Ahmad's forces were reinforced by arrivals of fresh troops. Understanding the need to act swiftly, da Gama on April 16 again formed a square which he led against Imam Ahmad's camp. Although the Muslims fought with more determination than two weeks earlier—their horse almost broke the Portuguese square—an opportune explosion of some gunpowder traumatized the horses on the Imam's side, and his army fled in disorder. Castanhoso laments that "the victory would have been complete this day had we only one hundred horses to finish it: for the King was carried on men's shoulders in a bed, accompanied by horsemen, and they fled in no order."

Reinforced by the arrival of the Bahr negus Yeshaq, da Gama marched southward after Imam Ahmad's force, coming within sight of him ten days later. However, the onset of the rainy season prevented da Gama from engaging Ahmad a third time. On the advice of Queen Sabla Wengel, da Gama made winter camp at Wofla near Lake Ashenge, still within sight of his opponent, while the Imam made his winter camp on Mount Zobil.

Knowing that victory lay in the number of firearms an army had, the Imam sent to his fellow Muslims for help. According to Abbé Joachim le Grand, Imam Ahmad received 2000 musketeers from Arabia, and artillery and 900 picked men from the Ottomans to assist him. Meanwhile, due to casualties and other duties, da Gama's force was reduced to 300 musketeers. After the rains ended, Imam Ahmad attacked the Portuguese camp and through weight of numbers killed all but 140 of da Gama's troops. Da Gama himself, badly wounded, was captured with ten of his men and, after refusing an offer to spare his life if he would convert to Islam, was executed.

AHMAD GRAN’S DEFEAT

The survivors and Emperor Gelawdewos were afterward able to join forces and, drawing on the Portuguese supplies, attacked Ahmad on February 21, 1543 in the Battle of Wayna Daga, where their 9,000 troops managed to defeat the 15,000 soldiers under Imam Ahmad. The Imam was killed by a Portuguese musketeer, who was mortally wounded in avenging da Gama's death.

His wife Bati del Wambara managed to escape the battlefield with a remnant of the Turkish soldiers, and they made their way back to Harar, where she rallied his followers. Intent on avenging her husband's death, she married his nephew Nur ibn Mujahid on condition that Nur would avenge Imam Ahmad's defeat.

CONCLUSION

In the long run, Gran only succeeded in his retaliation quest even to his death, his campaign only culminated in the destruction of lives, properties and cities, in Ethiopia. He did not achieve a single goal hence he died defeated in battle and all through his conquest he never united the Somali clans under one government thereby creating a Somali nation. Thus Ethiopians considered him a DESTROYER and DISTURBER OF PEACE.

REFERENCES

Robin Hallet. Africa Up To 1875. Heinemann Educational Books. Pp 98. London

Saheed Adejumobi (2006). The History of Ethiopia. Greenwood Press. Pp 178

Ahmad Abumassad (1988). The Gondar Muslim Minority in Ethiopia. Journal of Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs. Pp 76-85

Ahmad Gran's Invasion on Ethiopia

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Tonight This Topic will be discussed.