When do we start pulling the mercenaries out of Iraq?

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jTjt0gymZ7ftNlVrcz9zAXLjf2gQD96Q4TDO2

US contractor protecting diplomats in Iraq killed

15 hours ago

RIVERVIEW, Mich. (AP) — A U.S. veteran who returned to Iraq as a civilian contractor was shot to death while protecting American diplomats in Iraq, his employer said Sunday.

Justin Pope, 25, died after being shot late Wednesday or early Thursday in Kirkuk, said Douglas Ebner, a spokesman for Falls Church, Va.-based DynCorp International.

Detroit-area television station WJBK reported Saturday that Pope was killed by sniper fire. Ebner denied that, saying Pope died of "an accidental gunshot wound." He would not elaborate, saying the incident was under investigation by DynCorp and the U.S. State Department.

"We're very sorry that this happened," Ebner said. "The family has our condolences."

[SpiralHawk]

1. "After we've squeezed out maximum profit. Smirk." - Republicon Homelander Cronies

[ensho]

2. excellent question - I second it

when?

[bigtree]

3. I'm pretty sure Iraq will be retaining some of them

They've had their run-in with the former Blackwater bunch and it looks like DynCorp could be in line for a contract. Who ultimately pays for that? I don't know.

I do know that those who remain will be subject to Iraqi law.


from The Washington Independent: http://washingtonindependent.com/32269/contractors-out-of-iraq

. . . the big thing to watch during the transition to full Iraqi control is who bids on the State Department’s Worldwide Private Personal Security contract when it comes up for renewal in September. It’s currently split between Blackwat– sorry, Xe, DynCorp and Triple Canopy, but in January the Iraqi government announced it won’t accredit the-company-formerly-known-as-Blackwater and it’s unclear if DynCorp and Triple Canopy want the contract now that the Iraqi government put a provision in the Status of Forces Agreement stipulating that all contractors fall under its legal jurisdiction.

Beyond that particular contract, I recently spoke with Doug Brooks, president of the International Peace Operations Association, which might jocularly-but-uncharitably be called the mercenaries’ lobby, about what he thought about the future of private security in Iraq. Thanks to the improved security picture, “more businesses are in Iraq, and they hire private security,” Brooks said. “The large scale diminishing, and the small scale is picking up.” Bodyguard work for businesses might be the future of private security, Brooks mused, comparing the situation to Colombia, where private security firms protect big shots from the various militias and terrorist groups.

[NNN0LHI]

6. I don't believe any mercenaries will be subject to Iraqi law

If they catch some murdering people in cold blood again they will just be airlifted out.

Don

[bigtree]

7. according to Washington Independent

" . . . the Iraqi government put a provision in the Status of Forces Agreement stipulating that all contractors fall under its legal jurisdiction."

http://washingtonindependent.com/32269/contractors-out-of-iraq

[NNN0LHI]

9. I will believe it when I see it and not before

Any Status of Forces Agreement between an occupying army and the puppets they installed is very easily manipulated.

Don

[gratuitous]

4. The second we stop paying them

They'll pull themselves out. Unless, of course, someone else comes along and offers them more money. Then they'll happily turn their weapons on U.S. soldiers on behalf of their new paymasters.

[begin_within]

5. The U.S. will leave Iraq on this day:

The day after the last drop of oil is gone.

[TBF]

11. Bingo. n/t

[KharmaTrain]

8. Nationalize Them First...

We kept being told that the contractors provided important support services...running the Burger King at the PX...and we didn't have the troops to fill the gaps should they get yanked. IRC, the Blackwater contract (or is that Xe) is done or will be soon...but that's only a small number.

If they're too important to the military to leave, then they need to be part of the military. All contracts should be terminated (saving billions) and the option given to those under contract to either go home or renegotiate with the military. Then, let's stop ignoring who these people are. They should be included in the count of forces and then withdrawn with all our troops.

Then let the lawsuits and prosecutions begin. Let's pry open the dirty books and secrets of Erik Prince and the other merchants of death...and then reform the military to prevent this kind of profiteering again. Put the KP back in KP.

Cheers...

[ellenfl]

10. let them pull themselves out. they can afford it. eom