Blackwater,USA to be reined in

Blackwater,USA seems to be constantly in the news these days. After landing in a soup with the random civilian shooting incident, their shady activities have been scrutinised with investigative thoroughness. The latest in this circus of events is the welcome bill passed by the House of Representatives to end the immunity of private security companies such as Blackwater in war zones. Having said that, it must be added that the bill has its own shortcomings, including imprecise descriptions about the locations where the law would apply and the impracticality of conducting costly overseas investigations. Nevertheless, its a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has ordered new security procedures for American diplomatic convoys in Iraq and the proactive involvement of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security as a monitoring agency.

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Blackwater,USA given the boot in Iraq!
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Blackwater,USA given the boot in Iraq!

The Interior Ministry of Iraq has revoked the license of Blackwater USA,the American security firm as its contractors have been blamed for a Sunday gunbattle in Baghdad that left eight civilians dead and intends to start criminal proceedings against the Company's staff. The killings reportedly occurred after a U.S. State Department convoy Blackwater was protecting came under attack in downtown Baghdad.

Established in 1997 and based in Moyock, North Carolina, Blackwater is one of many security firms contracted by the U.S. government for its Iraq war for guarding diplomats, reconstruction workers and government officials.

I checked to see their website for their side of the version but the site seems to be in major downtime and all it says is service unavailable!
The video posted below shows how this war profiteering has grown into what it is today.



Related Posts:

Brazilian Bombers for Blackwater
Interview with Jeremy Scahill
Rise of Blackwater

Brazilian Bombers for Blackwater

Blackwater, the private military contractor (read mercenary) force from North Carolina, who call themselves the most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world is buying Super Tucano light combat aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer.The five ton, single engine, single seat aircrafts are built for pilot training, but also perform quite well for counter-insurgency work. Each aircraft can carry 1.5 tons of munitions.

Blackwater already has a force of armed helicopters in Iraq, and apparently wants something a little faster, and more heavily armed, to fulfill its security contracts overseas. Why they need these offensive capabilities is anybody's guess.

Interview with Jeremy Scahill- the author of Blackwater