Crocker: Blackwater shooting `horrific' (but still holds them in "high regard")

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

BAGHDAD - The U.S. ambassador said Thursday he still held Blackwater USA bodyguards in "high regard," even as he labeled the killing of 17 Iraqis by the company's security contractors a "horrific" incident that prompted him to call for an FBI investigation.

The Iraq government has demanded Blackwater's expulsion within six months and $8 million compensation for each of the victims from the Sept. 16 shootings.

Ambassador Ryan Crocker lauded the Blackwater guards, mostly hardened veterans who protect him and other American envoys and officials in Baghdad's dangerous streets.

"Those guys guard my back. And I have to say they do it extremely well. I continue to have high regard for the individuals who work for Blackwater as I do for other security contractors. That said, the incident in September was a horrific one," he said.

He also noted that he failed to full examine possible problems with Blackwater. Critics have accused the Moyock, N.C.-based company of lax oversight on its heavily armed security teams in Iraq.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071025/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_crocker;

[ShortnFiery]

1. Well, CROCK(er) can't have it both ways - if it was horrific once, it will be again and again.

:thumbsdown:

[Barrett808]

2. Crocker: Blackwater shooting `horrific'

Source: Associated Press

Crocker: Blackwater shooting `horrific'
By STEVEN R. HURST, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD - The U.S. ambassador said Thursday he still held Blackwater USA bodyguards in "high regard," even as he labeled the killing of 17 Iraqis by the company's security contractors a "horrific" incident that prompted him to call for an FBI investigation.

The Iraq government has demanded Blackwater's expulsion within six months and $8 million compensation for each of the victims from the Sept. 16 shootings.

Ambassador Ryan Crocker lauded the Blackwater guards, mostly hardened veterans who protect him and other American envoys and officials in Baghdad's dangerous streets.

"Those guys guard my back. And I have to say they do it extremely well. I continue to have high regard for the individuals who work for Blackwater as I do for other security contractors. That said, the incident in September was a horrific one," he said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071025/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_crocker

[saigon68]

3. Crocker= A Lap Dog for NEOCON interests

He will lie and say anything that his masters tell him to say

[kysrsoze]

4. Leave... Blackwater... ALONE!... LEAVE THEM ALONE!

:cry: All they ever did was shoot some unarmed people, but all you want to do is hang them for it. You're lucky they even bothered to show up in Iraq. LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!

[WCGreen]

5. I hear the crips and the bloods are still looking for a gig in the

"protection" rackett...