Panel: US must control security firms

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

Panel: US must control security firms By ANNE GEARAN, AP Diplomatic Writer
6 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - A panel recommended to the State Department that the U.S. government impose unified control over private security guards working for the U.S. in Iraq, an idea already floated by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, The Associated Press has learned.

The review panel found poor communication between diplomats and military officials and too little oversight of contractors like Blackwater USA, two people familiar with the report's findings told the AP on Monday.

The State Department risks another incident like the Sept. 16 Blackwater shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians unless it quickly installs closer management of the private army guarding diplomats in Iraq, the independent panel privately told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Rice said she wants to discuss the findings with Gates face to face and intends to act quickly.


~snip~

The group, led by a State Department official with long experience in Iraq, presented its findings to Rice on Monday and she is expected to act on them this week.

The panel included a retired senior diplomat, a retired four-star general and an intelligence expert.




Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071022/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_blackwater_iraq

[Xipe Totec]

1. Question is, why wasn't this modus operandi ante? nt

[rodeodance]

2. Condi just could not IMAGINE this was necessary

[pattmarty]

3. They maybe kicked out of Iraq, but they ain't going away.

[PSPS]

4. "the private army guarding diplomats in Iraq"

The State Department risks another incident like the Sept. 16 Blackwater shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians unless it quickly installs closer management of the private army guarding diplomats in Iraq, the independent panel privately told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Such a reference should never need to be uttered in a true democracy. But then, I remember how things used to be way back, when we didn't have to discuss what the word 'torture' really means.