Iraq to Deny New License To Blackwater Security Firm

[Are_grits_groceries]

MOSUL, Iraq, Jan. 28 -- The Iraqi government has informed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that it will not issue a new operating license to Blackwater Worldwide, the embassy's primary security company, which has come under scrutiny for allegedly using excessive force while protecting American diplomats, Iraqi and U.S. officials said Wednesday.

Iraq's Interior Ministry conveyed its decision to U.S. officials in Baghdad on Friday, in one of the boldest moves the government has made since the Jan. 1 implementation of a security agreement with the United States that sharply curbed American power in Iraq.

Blackwater employees who have not been accused of improper conduct will be allowed to continue working as private security contractors in Iraq if they switch employers, Iraqi officials said Wednesday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/28/AR2009012803319.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Bet this has some people screaming........

[BelgianMadCow]

1. freedom is on the march

what's next, Obama repeals the directive that no contractor Iraq can face trial?

:thumbsup:

[woodwrite]

2. Blackwater was PNAC's wetdream come true

It's not too hard to comprehend the nature and purpose of a "private, for-profit army." It's to be "private," .... ie., secretive, out of public view, unaccountable, above the law and working for private interests. "For-profit" means that it's for money,.. and we know where the money comes from. Those gigantic, un-bid government contracts were little more than a means of funneling taxpayer money to wealthy Bush patrons,... not at all an unfamiliar item on the Bush agenda,.. while veiling their misdeeds. Heck, the name says it all, doesn't it?

[KharmaTrain]

3. Outsourcing In The Military Is Over...

Methinks these aren't the best of times to be with Halliburton...their war for profit turned bust and they soon will be open to the world's courts (and hopefully US ones as well) to stand accountable for their mercenary actions. I would suspect this is the latest step on the Iraqi government's action that could be the spearhead for a future international tribunal.

Here's hoping President Obama fulfills his pledge to eliminate the contractor plague from our military. With the economy in such bad shape, one would think there are many who would be filling to fill those jobs at bases and do so for a lot less.

Here's hoping Erik Prince doesn't sleep much these days...his day is coming.