See other War, War, War Articles
Title: US renewed Blackwater contract without consulting Iraq: PM
Source:
Raw Story from AFP
URL Source: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/US_ap ... t_without_consulting_0407.html
Published: Apr 7, 2008
Author: Agence France-Presse
Post Date: 2008-04-07 21:11:05 by robin
Ping List: *Mercenaries - War Profiteers* Subscribe to *Mercenaries - War Profiteers*
Keywords: None
Views: 73
Comments: 3
Blackwater is the most controversial of several private security firms tasked with protecting high-profile US officials and foreign diplomats in Iraq. The company's guards shot dead 17 Iraqi civilians while escorting an American diplomat through Baghdad in September 2007 in an incident denounced as a crime by the Iraqi government. Blackwater says its guards reacted in self-defence. "As far as Iraqi government is involved, this issue is still under consideration and we are still discussing principles upon which foreign security companies must operate, especially this company because they committed a massacre against Iraqis and until now this matter has not been resolved," Maliki said on Monday in an interview with US television network CNN. "No judicial action has been taken, no compensation has been made. Therefore the extension requires approval of the Iraqi government and the government wants to resolve the outstanding issues with this company," Maliki said. "I would say the US side should not move to renew the contract until the outstanding issues of the company are finalised. I feel the decision was taken without the approval of the Iraqi government." The US State Department said on Friday it is extending its diplomat protection contract for Blackwater despite the fatal shootings. The company's contract was set to expire on May 7. Foreign security companies at currently not subject to Iraq law, but at the same time are not governed by US military tribunals, allowing them to operate without regard to any repercussions.
Poster Comment: Iraqis angered by Blackwater contract renewal Blackwater contract in Iraq renewed for one year
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said the the US State Department had renewed the contract of private security company Blackwater USA without the approval of the Baghdad government.
posted today by richard9151
posted 3 days ago by robin
Subscribe to *Mercenaries - War Profiteers*
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: All (#0)
Here's the excuse: US defends decision to renew Blackwater deal in Iraq The State Department on Monday cited the need to protect staff in Iraq as justification for renewing a contract with private security firm Blackwater USA without prior Iraqi government approval. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, interviewed by the US television network CNN, complained that Washington had renewed the contract without his government's approval, adding the issue was still under consideration. When asked to comment on Maliki's remarks, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters: "First of all, it's fundamentally a decision for us to take, about how we protect our people. "The authority and responsibility with making those kinds of decisions has to reside with us," McCormack said. "Now, of course we are going to consult very closely with the Iraqi government in how we do our jobs. But fundamentally, we're responsible, and solely responsible, for protecting our people," he said. "The decision to renew the Blackwater contract was really done on the basis of the need to protect our people in doing their jobs," McCormack said. "That doesn't mean that at some point, pending the final results of the FBI investigation, you can't go back and look at that investigation" into the shooting deaths last year. The company's guards shot dead 17 Iraqi civilians while escorting an American diplomat through Baghdad in a September 16, 2007 incident that the Iraqi government considers a crime. Blackwater says its guards reacted in self-defense. Gregory Starr at the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security announced the renewal of the contract last Friday. The company's contract was set to expire on May 7. It was renewed because Federal Bureau of Investigation agents have not yet concluded their inquiry into the September shooting, Starr said. Foreign security companies at present are not subject to Iraq law, but at the same time are not governed by US military tribunals, allowing them to operate without any repercussions for their actions.
'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz
"So?"
"Hello Rothschild's cattle!" ~ Deek Jackson
Says it all.
"Satan / Cheney in "08"
#2. To: robin (#1)
Iraqis angered by Blackwater contract renewal
#3. To: angle (#2)
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest