Fresh bid to lift veil on security work (in Iraq)

[UpInArms]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B7191064B%2D34CD%2D4989%2DA897%2DBE44B2DED68B%7D&siteid=mktw

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- As the rising death toll of hired security contractors in Iraq and other hotspots heightens attention, lawmakers are calling for greater disclosure about how these private firms carry out military-type missions.

For Rep. David Price, D-N.C., the grisly killings in Fallujah last year of four contractors from North Carolina-based Blackwater USA helped show the need for oversight and debate about an industry that has rapidly risen to take on frontline work for the United States.

Last month, Price reintroduced the proposed Transparency and Accountability in Security Contracting Act, which would set disclosure guidelines and standards for private security firms. The first version of the bill failed last year during the presidential campaign at a time when the Republicans were especially sensitive to questions about U.S. operations in Iraq.

Price's legislation encompasses companies whose workers carry weapons for their contracts or are involved in security, training and logistics duties. "The bill encompasses anything that would be regarded as a military function," he said.

Divulging details like costs, training, insurance, pay, benefits and other logistics would in most cases be required by the legislation. So would reports of casualties. See the text of the Transparency and Accountability in Security Contracting Act.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:H.R.4749:

...more...

[LynnTheDem]

1. Mercs are a huge part of what brought down every empire in history.

Now they're helping to bring down America. What they are doing in our name, under our flag, we are going to pay for dearly, for a very long time.

[Barrett808]

2. Fresh bid to lift veil on security work

Fresh bid to lift veil on security work
More disclosure sought from armed contracting firms
By August Cole, MarketWatch
Last Update: 3:41 PM ET May 16, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- As the rising death toll of hired security contractors in Iraq and other hotspots heightens attention, lawmakers are calling for greater disclosure about how these private firms carry out military-type missions.

For Rep. David Price, D-N.C., the grisly killings in Fallujah last year of four contractors from North Carolina-based Blackwater USA helped show the need for oversight and debate about an industry that has rapidly risen to take on frontline work for the United States.

Last month, Price reintroduced the proposed Transparency and Accountability in Security Contracting Act, which would set disclosure guidelines and standards for private security firms. The first version of the bill failed last year during the presidential campaign at a time when the Republicans were especially sensitive to questions about U.S. operations in Iraq.

Price's legislation encompasses companies whose workers carry weapons for their contracts or are involved in security, training and logistics duties. "The bill encompasses anything that would be regarded as a military function," he said.

Divulging details like costs, training, insurance, pay, benefits and other logistics would in most cases be required by the legislation. So would reports of casualties. See the text of the Transparency and Accountability in Security Contracting Act.

(more)

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B7191064B%2D34CD%2D4989%2DA897%2DBE44B2DED68B%7D&dist=rss&siteid=mktw

[bennywhale]

3. Privatised, professional, profitable murder

Its disgusting and its spreading. I wonder how long before the biggest multi-national organisations have their own legitimate, fully fledged armies.

Shell are doing pretty well in Nigeria on that front.