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Security firms under scrutiny in Iraq

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By Mike McCarthy Sep 19, 2007, 0:37 GMT

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tonny from belgiumSep 19th, 2007 - 11:03:29

The simple truth is that private security firms such as Blackwater are nothing else than corporate organized mercenaries costing the taxpayer an incredible amount of money doing a job that legally belongs to an established government or an occupying army .How absurd must it get before people realise that all tasks related to security belong to legal institutions and are not to be outsourced to some croneys of the republican party to allow them to make a fortune .The inevitable result of which is that the military industrial complex is even further expanding and defending interests which are not benefiting any nation but only private interests .Why not outsource the rest of the administration then ?Just another cynical step in silly logics .
The latest incident involving Blackswater started when a private car failed to stop for the illegal injunctions of the mercenaries was fired upon by them,killing a man ,his wife and his child .That started a regular gunfight .All the rest is spin from the usual liars.All Iraqis want mercenaries out and their country back,too much asked ?

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JasonSep 19th, 2007 - 16:06:32

Tony from Belgium is a complete clueless moron--looks like both his daddies let him out of the basement again.

'This crime has generated a lot of hatred in the government and the people against Blackwater,' Maliki told reporters.

'For their own interests, the Americans should hire a new company to protect their people so they can move freely.'

this Maliki is showing the world just how ignorant and stupid muslims are--this idiot can't even protect his own people much less jump into Blackwaters Business.---but then we all know Allah insist that Muslim must kill other Muslims Daily reguardless. These idiots just need to be abandoned and left to kill each other off and hope it draws the other stupid muslims from other countries they free load from.

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Then why remain in Iraq?Sep 19th, 2007 - 18:40:09

RE: These idiots just need to be abandoned and left to kill each other off and hope it draws the other stupid muslims from other countries they free load from.

==================

It makes no sense to support the war, while condemning those we're supposed to be protecting. Some percentage of the public has simply lost perspective on the situation. Blackwater's people have been creating these problems for awhile now, and without any form of control over their activities, something like this was bound to happen.

afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gAB8am9XX14L5HGNw7tgsPBQ-rCA

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Wednesday called on the US authorities to replace private security operator Blackwater after a deadly shootout involving the firm's guards in Baghdad.

Maliki's call came as US and Iraqi officials were locked in talks trying to defuse the crisis sparked when Blackwater guards escorting US embassy officials opened fire in a Baghdad neighbourhood, killing 10 people and wounding 13.

'This crime has generated a lot of hatred in the government and the people against Blackwater,' Maliki told reporters. 'For their own interests, the Americans should hire a new company to protect their people so they can move freely. This is a big crime and the seventh such crime committed by this company and which has been registered by the interior ministry,' Maliki said.

The US embassy in Baghdad has barred its officials from travelling by land outside Baghdad's fortified Green Zone amid fears of attacks after Sunday's shootout.

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The problems with outsourcing a warSep 19th, 2007 - 18:42:07

www.democracyarsenal.org/2007/09/contractors-in-.html

'First, Blackwater doesn't even have a license to operate in Iraq so there is likely nothing for the Iraqi government to revoke. Since these contractors were working for the US diplomatic service I'm not sure that the Iraqis have any recourse at all.

Second, under CPA Order 17 signed by Paul Bremer, private military and security contractors (PMCs and PSCs) are basically immune from Iraqi law - and they can't be court-martialed either.

Third, considering the enormous reliance of the diplomatic corps in Baghdad on contractors and Blackwater in particular, these guys likely aren't going anywhere. Even if Blackwater is 'forced' to leave, their employees are just going to go work for other contractors.

Fourth, it's really important to keep in mind that the lion's share of contractors in Iraq don't carry guns, aren't Americans and perform support services.

Finally, from everything I've read it sounds like the Blackwater folks were defending themselves while under attack and the Maliki is probably playing politics here - beating up on a group of individuals (private contractors) none too liked by the Iraqi people.'

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StanSep 19th, 2007 - 19:18:02

WHAT IS THIS IGNORANT COMMENT ALL ABOUT....HAHAHAHA!!

Iraq's prime minister on Wednesday disputed Blackwater USA's version of a weekend shooting that left at least 11 people dead, and he declared he would not tolerate 'the killing of our citizens in cold blood.'

WTF!...he won't tolerate Blackwater for defending themselves...but will tolerate other Muslims killing in cold Blood?...is this a Allah Vowel or did some Shite's get deservingly killed and its a 'I suck Iran' Vowel....innocent muslims are killed daily by other muslims and this idiot sits on his muslim ass and does nothing....what a MORON.

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Maliki cannot control his own people ...Sep 19th, 2007 - 22:50:43

... but Blackwater, he can complain about.

al-Maliki is reacting to the feelings of his own people, who see this NOT as a response to being fired upon, but an ATTACK on Iraqi civilians without a reason. Two wrongs STILL do not make a 'right'. The U.S. is supposed to be defending Iraqis, and are only supposed to fire in their own defense. In this incident, it now appears that Blackwater fired first, and at everyone in sight.

U.S. authorities are looking into it, but the problem is a lack of enforcement against such acts, plus the fact that we NEED Blackwater's personnel.

www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/19/opinion/main3276661.shtml

'The U.S. government purchases whatever army it needs, which has led to the dependence upon private contract firms like Blackwater U.S.A, with its $300-million-plus contract to protect U.S. State Department personnel in Iraq. That is why the latest Blackwater incident, which Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki branded a 'crime,' is so difficult to deal with. Iraqis are clearly demanding to rid their country of Blackwater and other contractors, and on Tuesday the Iraqi government said it would be scrutinizing the status of all private security firms working in the country.'

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That's why, idiot.Sep 20th, 2007 - 23:30:26

'Then why remain in Iraq?'

To achieve our objectives and kill jihadies... And we are going to do just that.

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SSep 21st, 2007 - 11:37:07

I would be interested to know how much investigating the Iraqi government did to catch the murderers that killed 4 Blackwater guys after they burnt them, beat them and hung them from a bridge, or how about the truck driver whose head was cut off?? I don't see all the peace mongers in a tirade over their lives! What a bunch of hypocrites! These security firms are hired to protect the lives of state diplomats etc that apparently due to our outdated Geneva convention and the rules therein prevent the military from being able to fulfill this role. The vehicle that failed to stop was surely given ample opportunity as most of these SUV's have big signs, sirens,verbal warnings, flares etc- I am sorry for their loss but they have to follow the rules and if they chose to not heed those warnings then they suffered the consequences but to expect these contractors not to protect themselves is absolutely ridiculous. The KBR/Halliburton truck drivers that have been murdered didn't carry weapons so what is the liberal pacifist excuse for them?? Wake up from whatever la la Utopia dreamland you are living in and quit making excuses for people that don't even respect their own kind and murder each other daily.I don't hear the public outcry on that one.

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SSep 21st, 2007 - 11:41:50

Tonni, It is real easy for you to sit back in Europe and have coffee at the cafe's with the other pacifists- Have you even been to Iraq??? Unless you have been here and seen it for yourself you are just spewing ignorant babble. What contributions has Belgium done for anyone else?

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noneSep 22nd, 2007 - 04:45:24

'What contributions has Belgium done for anyone else?'


zero, zip, zilch, nada...

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