Blackwater license revoced after the fatal shooting of civilians

[Samson]

Considering that they are the largest milatry contractor in Traq, and had so many important roles including gaurding many officials, it sounds to me like this is highly significant. I do not really know though, can anyone shead light on what this really means?

From the Grundiad

BAGHDAD (AP) - The Interior Ministry said Monday that it was pulling the license of an American security firm allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of civilians during an attack on a U.S. State Department motorcade in Baghdad.

The ministry said it would prosecute any foreign contractors found to have used excessive force in the Sunday incident.

Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul-Karim Khalaf said eight people were killed and 13 were wounded when security contractors working for Blackwater USA opened fire in a predominantly Sunni neighborhood of western Baghdad.

``We have canceled the license of Blackwater and prevented them from working all over Iraqi territory. We will also refer those involved to Iraqi judicial authorities,'' Khalaf said.
...
The Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman said witness reports pointed to Blackwater involvement but said the incident was still under investigation. It was not immediately clear if the measure against Blackwater was intended to be temporary or permanent.

U.S. troops are immune from prosecution in Iraq under the U.N. resolution that authorizes their presence, but Khalaf said the exemption does not apply to private security companies.
...
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki late Sunday condemned the shooting by a ``foreign security company'' and called it a ``crime.''
...
The wartime numbers of private guards are unprecedented - as are their duties, many of which have traditionally been done by soldiers. They protect U.S. military operations and have guarded high-ranking officials including Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Baghdad.

They also protect journalists, visiting foreign officials and thousands of construction projects.

 

[BaneBlade]

IIR correctly they have 3.000+ men in Iraq. Does that mean they have to leave, or they simply can't get new contracts until this is solved?

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

They should all go to jail.

 

[Samson]

IIRC correctly they have 3.000+ men in Iraq. Does that mean they have to leave, or they simply can't get new contracts until this is solved?

From the articale:

We have canceled the license of Blackwater and prevented them from working all over Iraqi territory.

Sounds to me like they all have to at least stop working, but ICBW.

 

[FriendlyFire]

There are about 40,000 private security forces currently
Many of them are shonky and horriably run outfits.

 

[Godwynn]

CNN says they are flat out 'banned' from Iraq.

CNN

 

[Mr. Dictator]

good riddance.

 

[Kozmos]

Meh you can only slow down the growth and power of PMCs. The revolution is a comin folks.

 

[Samson]

Meh you can only slow down the growth and power of PMCs. The revolution is a comin folks.

I have to admit I would not want to be a PMC in Iraq ATM. There must be plenty of judges and jourers who would just love to behead a few americans legaly after finding them guilty of homocide during a firefight. I cannot see what protection they could get. Do you think the USA woukld refuse extradition requests? Even if they did it is going to be hairy for those who are still in Iraq.

 

[Julian Delphiki]

I have to admit I would not want to be a PMC in Iraq ATM. There must be plenty of judges and jourers who would just love to behead a few americans legaly after finding them guilty of homocide during a firefight. I cannot see what protection they could get. Do you think the USA woukld refuse extradition requests? Even if they did it is going to be hairy for those who are still in Iraq.

Is that some kind statement against certain minority group ?

 

[Merkinball]

Many of them are shonky and horriably run outfits. - FriendlyFire

Which outfit is shonky and horribly run?

Most people that get wrapped up into these firms are extremely qualified to do what they do. Ex-swat, ex NCIS, Special Ops, at a minimum ex-infantry. The job requirements to get into these firms are ridiculous. E-7 and up. O-3 and up.

On the flip side of the coin though, I have seen some pretty atrocious videos from private contractor's in Iraq. Just appalling examples of them NOT following the ROE's which they still legally must follow. Up until about two years ago they had serious problems with ROE violations. All the contractors ride around in video taped vehicles, so it was all on tape. They showed us some videos in our last work up as to what NOT to do. Some of it was just unbelievable and I couldn't help but think to myself, "Maybe this is a reason we're not making headway in Baghdad."

 

[Samson]

On the flip side of the coin though, I have seen some pretty atrocious videos from private contractor's in Iraq. Just appalling examples of them NOT following the ROE's which they still legally must follow. Up until about two years ago they had serious problems with ROE violations.

I do not know much (anything) about this sort of thing, but presumably what they must follow are the laws of Iraq, just as any other private citizen must. That must be pretty hard if your job is to shoot at people.

I wonder whether the Iraqi legislature will be able to seaze the relavent videos for this incident? If there is video of it it may at least reduce the chance of someone being wrongly convicted.

 

[Halcyon]

They're basically unregulated mercenaries. An invitation to abuse, and I've no doubt that this incident is only one of very many in Iraq, past and future. It's telling that after being found guilty of mass-murder, they politely have their licence revoked, possibly only temporarily. Where's the Justice in that?

 

[Che Guava]

Well, the accused are standing trail in Iraq, so I guess the justice is there.

 

[Masquerouge]

Mmmmh. Can this have an impact on the amount of regular army forces in Iraq?

 

[Merkinball]

They're not unregulated...

 

[GinandTonic]

If these soldiers are in the green zone will the US allow the authorities to take custody of them? If not under what authority would the US refuse to do so? How will the US take having their contractors booted out?

 

[Phlegmak]

On the flip side of the coin though, I have seen some pretty atrocious videos from private contractor's in Iraq. Just appalling examples of them NOT following the ROE's which they still legally must follow. Up until about two years ago they had serious problems with ROE violations. All the contractors ride around in video taped vehicles, so it was all on tape. They showed us some videos in our last work up as to what NOT to do. Some of it was just unbelievable and I couldn't help but think to myself, "Maybe this is a reason we're not making headway in Baghdad."

I am extremely interested in those videos. Can you post any links to some? I saw a video of contractor truck drivers actually state they wanted to shoot children who were throwing rocks at their trucks. Do you mean stuff like this?

 

[Kozmos]

They're not unregulated...

Who is regulating them then?

 

[Bugfatty300]

Who is regulating them then?

Since last year they've operated under the uniform code of military justice. Before that it was just Iraqi laws.

I'm sure their misdeeds are no more proportional than military personnel misdeeds. They've likely been singled out due to their controversial status and constant negative media coverage.