World

US extends Iraq contract for Blackwater firm

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | September 3, 2009 at 04:30 am

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Blackwater is a Security Contractor that was first hired by the U.S. State Department to protect U.S. Officials in Iraq. The company's founder, Erik Prince, formerly a Navy Seal, was able to put together a company with trained former U.S. Military personnel. Additional security work that this company is involved in can be viewed here

It.s first official contract, granted in 2003, was to provide protection for Paul Bremner. The no bid contract was worth $21 Million.

In 2004 four of its employees were ambushed in Falujah and their bodies were hung on bridges.

Since June 2004, Blackwater has been paid more than $320 million out of a $1 billion, five-year State Department budget for the Worldwide Personal Protective Service, which protects U.S. officials and some foreign officials in conflict zones.

Blackwater's method of operation came under fire when Blackwater employees shot and killed 17 Iraquis. Blackwater was accused of killing at least 14 of those without cause by the FBI.

In November 2008, the U.S. State Department prepared to issue a multimillion-dollar fine to Blackwater for shipping hundreds of automatic firearms to Iraq without the necessary permits. Some of the weapons were believed to have ended up on the country’s black market

Wikepedia provides a detailed account of Blackwater's incidents in Iraq. This has caused the Iraqi government to refuse renewal of Blackwater's license.

Despite the fact that Blackwater is not allowed to operate in Iraq, the State Department has extended Blacwater's contract. Apparently the company that was chosen to replace Blackwater was not ready to take over. The contract was to expire on September 3rd and was to be taken over a day later by Dyncorp International.

The granting of this contract flies in the face of the Iraqi government, which is still outraged over the over the lethal firefight involving Blackwater employees in Baghdad in 2007.

Where is the independent souvereign country that issues licenses for foreigners to operate in Iraq? Can this easily be overruled by the U.S. State Department?

WASHINGTON — State Department officials said Wednesday they have extended a contract with a subsidiary of the security firm once known as Blackwater USA despite the fact the company is not allowed to work in the country.

Three officials said the contract with Presidential Airways to provide air support for U.S. diplomats was temporarily extended because the firm chosen to replace it is not yet ready to take over. The contract was due to expire on Sept. 3 and be taken over a day later by Dyncorp International.

Presidential is the air wing of Xe Services, which used to be known as Blackwater. The Iraqi government refused to grant the company an operating license earlier this year amid continued outrage over a 2007 lethal firefight involving some of its employees in Baghdad.