Iraq Determined To Expel Blackwater USA
BAGHDAD - The Iraqi government remains determined to expel the Blackwater USA security company and is searching for legal remedies to overturn an American-imposed decree that exempts all foreign bodyguards from prosecution under local laws, officials said Wednesday.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government accepted the findings of an Iraqi investigative committee that determined Blackwater guards, without provocation, killed 17 Iraqis last month in Nisoor Square in western Baghdad.
Iraqi investigators declared that Blackwater should be expelled and $8 million should be paid as compensation for each victim.
The officials said the Cabinet decided Tuesday to establish a committee to find ways to repeal a 2004 directive issued by L. Paul Bremer, chief of the former U.S. occupation government in Iraq. The order placed private security companies outside Iraqi law.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.
AP article by Steven R. Hurst here.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Said it before, Malaki is doing the bidding of Iran (or maybe the Democrats). Perfect, backdoor way to screw things up when all looks promising. Don’t trust this guy one bit and trust the Dems even less.
October 24th, 2007 at 12:27 pmsomeone needs to grow some balls and slap this guy, if we pulled out right now he would get his ass killed real quick, so he should stop dicatating to those who are the only reason Iraq and the government are their!
October 24th, 2007 at 1:28 pmWhat does that spraypaint in the background say?
October 24th, 2007 at 1:38 pmOK, alot of this isn’t computing. Blackwater is the enemy, but what about that Iraqi government insider that did the suicide bombing maybe a year ago in the US base cafeteria, and in the Iraqi parliament (if I remember correctly). And each Iraqi life is worth $8million? What about all the life wasted by Maliki’s former/present ally al Sadr? What’s that worth? Blackwater is a convenient scapegoat and diversion for the ineptitude of the central gov’t. How about they focus on protecting their pipelines from getting blown up? And why doesn’t Maliki give us a deadline for when he wants to US to cease its combat role and they can take it over?
October 24th, 2007 at 1:44 pmConsider the source for the ‘news’.
The AP and “officials (who) spoke on condition of anonymity…”
Where’s the smilie for ’stop jackin’ me off’?
October 24th, 2007 at 1:57 pmMalaki’s end will be here soon, AQ/Iran have already infiltrated this gov. an they are making Maliki dance like a pathetic puppet. Blackwater wants out of Iraq now anyways…Waxman went from anti-war to anti-BW..Waxman must be on the take.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:28 pmBlackwater’s First Public Response on Fallujah: Murdered Blackwater Men Were the Victims of a Well-Coordinated Ambush and Attack
A tragedy for which no one but the terrorists are to blame
MOYOCK, N.C., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In response to a
document issued by Chairman Waxman’s Majority Staff in September,
Blackwater has issued its own report that is the first publicly available
account by Blackwater on the tragic events leading to the death of four of
its personnel in Fallujah on March 31, 2004.
The full Blackwater report, available on Blackwater’s website at
http://www.blackwaterusa.com, explains the following:
* Blackwater personnel were deliberately led into a well-planned ambush
by personnel of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corp and enemy insurgents.
* Blackwater uses the facts to refute findings of the Majority Staff
Report regarding the staffing, preparation, equipment and other
resources used: the experienced team of military veterans who were
killed, including an Arabic speaker, had all of the resources they
needed.
* The Majority Staff Report seeks to assess blame for the death of
Americans in Fallujah. Within a year of these events Fallujah was the
subject of significant U.S. military effort and casualties, when
Marines and Army personnel were required to take this city back from
the enemy insurgents block by block, and faced severe and well
organized military resistance.
* The lower profile manner by which the Fallujah mission was carried out
is blamed by the Majority Staff for the death of the Blackwater
personnel. The same staff has criticized Blackwater for excessive use
of force on September 16, 2007. For years Blackwater critics have
inappropriately and inconsistently labeled Blackwater as being too
casual and unprepared (see Fallujah) and too aggressive (see September
16). The truth is Blackwater professionals are the same personnel
trained by the U.S. military and law enforcement, and who do their best
every day in a very dangerous war zone, where the enemy has a vote.
* Blackwater demonstrates the significant overlap between the complaint
October 24th, 2007 at 2:44 pmof trial lawyers suing Blackwater and the findings of the Majority
Staff Report.
The entire Blackwater family mourns the loss of these heroic lives. Our
thoughts remain with their families.
Guided by integrity, innovation, accountability, and a desire for a
safer world, Blackwater Worldwide leverages state-of-the-art training
facilities, professional program management teams, and innovative
manufacturing and production capabilities to deliver world-class,
customer-driven solutions.
Waxman’s gay witch hunt…
http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20071001121609.pdf
October 24th, 2007 at 3:06 pm“Murdered Blackwater Men Were the Victims of a Well-Coordinated Ambush and Attack”
And never let that little prick Markos from DailyKos forget HIS take on Blackwater when the pics got posted of mutilated bodies hanging from a bridge….
“I feel nothing over the death of merceneries. They aren’t in Iraq because of orders, or because they are there trying to help the people make Iraq a better place. They are there to wage war for profit. Screw them.”
October 24th, 2007 at 3:14 pm– Markos Moulitsas
TOM RICK’S Inbox Washington Post.com
Does this piece of sh*t TOM RICK have a family?
Blackwater Fever
– The Sympt oms
A common disease among international contractors working in Iraq, Afghanistan and various other 3rd world hellholes. Frequently attacks young men with only 1 war or enlistment under their belt, State Dept agents, . . . anyone associated with an Ambassadors detail and occasional poseurs. BKWF has many symptoms; if you have the following you may be infected:
¿ Large amount of primping, i.e. mousse in your hair despite the fact you live in a war zone.
¿ Your forearms break out in tattoos, often tribal or USMC related.
¿ Have used, currently using or consider using steroids.
¿ Grow a beard to blend in with the locals, even though you are a 6ft tall blonde with a “Death before Dishonor” tattoo.
¿ Think the UN pool is a good place to pickup chicks.
¿ Are arrogant and condescending to people with more experience, training and who make more money than you.
¿ Truly believe you look good in a Speedo.
¿ Despite the fact there are laundry facilities available, you insist on wearing a dirty brown T-shirt with your blood type in black magic marker to work.
¿ You have excellent kit.
¿ Believe by running locals off the road you are winning their “hearts & minds.”
¿ Despite earning a six figure income you wear a ragged ball cap that has not ever been washed.
¿ Your 9 man PSD [protective security detail] team consists of 34 men, 6 armored SUVs, 2 Army Stryker vehicles, an MP company, 2 “little birds” and 2 AH-64 gunships. With an AC-130 on call!
¿ The most dangerous thing you have ever done is: PSD!
¿ Often email pictures of yourself in body armor, weapons and kit to all your friends, family and anybody that you have their email address.
¿ Believe people really give a [expletive] about seeing multiple pictures of you in your body armor, weapons and kit.
¿ You have been seen wearing a black boonie hat, black shirt, black pants, black boots, black body armor, black ammo pouches and a MP5 [submachine gun] in a desert environment when it’s 110 degrees.
¿ You refer to yourself as a “rock n’ roll mercenary.”
October 24th, 2007 at 4:16 pm