Military reports from scene fault Blackwater
What should be done with Blackwater? Can we function in Iraq without private security?
WP-They indicate guards opened fire without provocation in Sept. 16 incident
U.S. military reports from the scene of the Sept. 16 shooting incident involving the security firm Blackwater USA indicate that its guards opened fire without provocation and used excessive force against Iraqi civilians, according to a senior U.S. military official.
The reports came to light as an Interior Ministry official and five eyewitnesses described a second deadly shooting minutes after the incident in Nisoor Square. The same Blackwater security guards, after driving about 150 yards away from the square, fired into a crush of cars, killing one person and injuring two, the Iraqi official said.
The U.S. military reports appear to corroborate the Iraqi government’s contention that Blackwater was at fault in the shooting incident in Nisoor Square, in which hospital records say at least 14 people were killed and 18 were wounded.
UPDATE
ABC-Edwards Slams Top Clinton Strategist’s Ties to Blackwater
Edwards Assails Clinton as ‘Corporate Democrat’
Clearly, if the Blackwater guys were wrong they should be prosecuted. The problem I have is that Blackwater doesn’t hire “phony soldiers.” I looked into Blackwater after I left the service and you have to be a bad#ss to get hired by them. From what I understand, the large majority of Blackwater personnel are former Special Forces and Delta. Those guys rarely make mistakes; they’re the best.
One questionable incident does not mean the entire plan should be tossed out.
Yesterday for example, Blackwater rescued the Polish Ambassador after an attempt on his life. Does anybody want to offer congratulations? Maybe have a senate hearing on the good work being done by the vast majority of Blackwater guys.
Aubrey
What did you think about Blackwater guys making 100k +?
That’s why I looked into working for them. The main reason that I didn’t pursue it was because of the personal security schools/certifications required. I would love to go back to Iraq, do an easier job, and make a boatload. That’s why the Army is having trouble retaining the Special Forces and Delta, they all want to go work for Blackwater.
Aubrey
Do you thiink this is just part of the issues of keeping people safe in Iraq?
Keeping soldiers or Iraqis safe?
I hope you don’t mean soldiers. The function of a soldier is to GO into harm’s way. The comparrison of Blackwater taking better care of its employees versus the Army’s care of its soldiers is not fair. For one, Blackwater knows that they won’t maintian a client base if it employs sorry people. The Army, on the other hand, is a gov’t agency that cares more about the public opinion than providing a quality product (i.e. a soldier who is highly provicient at killing the badguys and professional enough to impose a great amount of fear into those who would conduct future attacks against the U.S. and her allies). Please understand that an officer who attains the rank of General (whether it be one or four stars) is a politician first and soldier second.
As for the Iraqis, Blackwater, to my knowledge, has nothing to do with peacekeeping. They are a firm that provides personal protection services.
Aubrey
In Blackwater doing there job do they not hurt the PR with the people of Iraq. I am sure most do not get the difference between them and military. And do not get me wrong I would want the protection if I was in Iraq. Is this not a catch 22?
I don’t know John. I can speculate but private security firms were very scarce when I was there.
[...] House Acts in Wake of Blackwater Incident …Blogged about at Military reports from scene fault Blackwater – control congress, Prompted by last month’s deadly shootings in Baghdad by armed guards working for Blackwater USA, the House voted overwhelmingly yesterday to place all private contractors working in Iraq and other combat zones under the jurisdiction of U.S. courts. House Acts in Wake of Blackwater Incident House Acts in Wake of Blackwater Incident washingtonpost.com – business – Last Updated – Friday October 5 Prompted by last month’s deadly shootings in Baghdad by armed guards working for Blackwater USA, the House voted overwhelmingly yesterday to place all private contractors working in Iraq and other combat zones under the jurisdiction of U.S. courts. Follow This Story Change Your Location San Francisco, CA Email This Story Print Got something to say about this story, post your blog here and tell the world. [...]
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