Blackwater Iraq Contract Renewed

Middle East Online. Posted April 7, 2008.

State Department extends contract with private security firm for one year despite civilian killings.

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The US State Department said Friday it is extending its diplomat protection contract for private security firm Blackwater USA, despite the incident last September in which Blackwater guards killed 17 Iraqi civilians.

"I have requested and received approval to have Task Order 6, which Blackwater has to provide personal protective services in Baghdad, renewed for one year," said Gregory Starr at the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Blackwater is the most controversial of several private security firms tasked with protecting high-profile US officials and foreign dignitaries visiting Iraq.

Blackwater guards fatally shot 17 Iraqi civilians while escorting a US diplomat through Baghdad in a September 16, 2007 incident that the Iraqi government considers a crime. Blackwater claims its guards reacted in self-defense.

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.

The US government, and especially US Ambassador Ryan Crocker, "will take a very close look at the FBI reports and then we will decide whether it is consistent with the US government goals and policies to continue the contract of Blackwater," said Starr.

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.

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In short, [Report this comment] Posted by: talkville on Apr 7, 2008 3:22 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] An arrogant slap in the face and middle-finger to all Iraqis and to vast numbers of US, European, African, Latin American and World citizens. Anyone involved, top to bottom, elected or assigned who was involved in pushing through the contract does not deserve to be on the payroll of the US Govt. Find each one of them and let them know! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] A Military Officer Said It Best ... [Report this comment] Posted by: redbridge on Apr 7, 2008 4:52 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] "... a bunch of assholes with guns." [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] This only means that US government and citizens are responsible for every [Report this comment] Posted by: PakiBoy on Apr 7, 2008 7:44 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] war-crime committed by Blackwater. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] No shame... [Report this comment] Posted by: millertime on Apr 7, 2008 1:42 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] How can this administration look itself in the face? Right when I thought that I've seen it all, they do this. Apparently, there are no other religiously zealous security forces for hire...it is these mercenaries that are the most hated Americans over there, even by the American troops, who have to sit by and watch a bunch of overpaid, under-regulated cowboys make life worse for them all...at least this administration is consistently horrible on all possible fronts.... [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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