Iraqi ministers back Blackwater shutdown

[Roland99]

Source: CNN International

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Government ministers Tuesday backed the Iraqi Interior Ministry's decision to shut down Blackwater USA's operations in Iraq after the American security firm was involved in a Baghdad firefight that authorities say killed eight civilians.

The ministers also stressed the need to ensure foreign security firms operate within Iraqi laws, according to a statement from spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh.

It is unclear if the shutdown is permanent, and the Interior Ministry put no time frame on the ban of Blackwater operations.

Al-Dabbagh said the ban will remain in effect while the incident is investigated and there is no intention of revoking Blackwater's license indefinitely. He added, "We do need them to respect the law and the regulation here in Iraq."

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/09/18/blackwater.iraq/index.html

[Sequoia]

1. Ban them and keep them banned. Don't listen to Condi.

Ban them so they go bankrupt. Sigh, in a perfect world maybe.

[MetalCanuck]

2. Bush will never let one of his profiteers lose money.

Blackwater will not go anywhere I assure you.

[Javaman]

4. especially a fundie profiteer. nt

[Megahurtz]

10. Maybe The Iraqis

will think for themselves and kick them out then. After all, it is their Country. :)

[SpiralHawk]

3. "We don't want no steenkin Christo-fascist mercenary crusaders" - Iraq

"Go make your money doing some honest work somewhere else, like filling in pot holes and repairing bridges in the USA"

- Iraq

[sabra]

5. Iraq contradicts U.S. on Blackwater shootings

Source: LATimes

BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi government said today that its initial investigation had found that guards with the private security company Blackwater USA had fired without provocation on a Baghdad traffic circle, killing eight people and wounding 13.

The findings contradicted statements by the company and the U.S. State Department that the guards had come under small-arms fire during the incident Sunday.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali Dabbagh said that any Blackwater employee who broke the law would be brought to justice and that the virtual blanket immunity from prosecution the foreign security contractor had enjoyed in Iraq was a thing of the past.

"They should not have immunity for their mistakes," Dabbagh said. "If they have made a mistake, they should be subjected to the law."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-blackwater19sep19,0,1430653.story?coll=la-home-center

[Enrique]

6. this is turning out to be a real showdown

Blackwater will prevail in the end, but the U.S. govt. will have to give someone in Iraq a lot of cash to bring that result about.

[Tempest]

7. If Blackwater prevails

The U.S. loses in Iraq.

[Roland99]

11. I think the US has already lost. It's a lose-lose.

[Baby Snooks]

8. They may not prevail.

I think the Iraqi people have had enough. As have the American people. All the Bushes wanted was a new dictator. The Iraqi people are realizing they were better off with the one they had.

[Enrique]

9. their government will sell them out

if the price is high enough.