Blackwater will probably leave Iraq, officials say

[cal04]

Official: Likely firm won't compete for Iraq job after contract expires in May
A State Department review of private security guards for diplomats in Iraq is unlikely to recommend firing Blackwater USA over the deaths of 17 Iraqis last month, but the company probably is on the way out of that job, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

Blackwater’s work escorting U.S. diplomats outside the protected Green Zone in Baghdad expires in May, one official said, and other officials told The Associated Press they expect the North Carolina company will not continue to work for the embassy after that.

It is likely that Blackwater does not compete to keep the job, one official said. Blackwater probably will not be fired outright or even “eased out,” the official added, but there is a mutual feeling that the Sept. 16 shooting deaths mean the company cannot continue in its current role.

State Department officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has not yet considered results of an internal review of Blackwater and the other two companies that protect diplomats in Iraq.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21352794/

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Translation: They'll stay, they'll continue doing the exact same shit, they'll just get a new name

and a new logo.

[BuyingThyme]

3. Yes, does it occur to anybody that the definition of CONTRACTORS

inherently means that you're not actually employed by the company in the first place?

[dogman]

2. When can we get them out of the USA? N/T

[partylessinOhio]

4. When can we get them out of New Orleans and Katrina?

[Rex]

5. Nevermind the fact the 'Iraqi government' told them to leave.

So how do Repukes respond to this? 'Eh, whatever' - they will leave probably and no one in Bush's Administration gives a shit either way. So fucking arrogant and it shows in their words.

Fucking all should rot in prison.

[jaysunb]

6. Can we get our money back ?

and put them in jail ? otherwise, it just more of the same. grab the money and run! :evilfrown:

[screembloodymurder]

7. Blackwater should not be allowed on US soil.

While our National Guard units are being sent overseas, no private army should be allowed to exist in this country.