Personally, I cannot help but wonder why the USA has been pushed to the point where it must depend on private security contractors as opposed to relying on the military and US security personnel. Was it some failed brain storm to save money or was it a mechanism to spread money among Bush loyalists and supporters? I would truly be interested in an complete answer. Here's Time's look at the current Blackwater USA mess:But Maliki offered his own solution on Wednesday, recommending that the U.S. embassy in Baghdad change the company it uses to provide security. "This crime has generated a lot of hatred in the government and the people against Blackwater," Maliki told reporters. "For their own interests, the Americans should hire a new company to protect their people so they can move freely." The Iraqi premier also ordered a full investigation into Sunday's fire fight. Maliki has made it clear that he will raise the subject with Bush during their New York meeting, saying he won't tolerate "the killing of our citizens in cold blood." A U.S. government report of the incident that first appeared on TIME.com, says that Blackwater guards shot back only in response to small arms fire. The company has said its employees killed and wounded armed insurgents, not civilians. Yesterday, Iraq's Ministry of the Interior released an account of the incident that differed substantially from the U.S. report. The ministry said that Blackwater initiated the firefight, killing as many as 20 civilians.
Having met some of the special forces types, I can only imagine what the private security personnel are like. They are today's equivalent of Rome's mercenaries in the ancient world.
No comments:
Post a Comment