Saturday, May 10, 2008
US to continue reliance on mercenaries in Iraq
For a while, following the Blackwater Massacre, it looked like the Prince of Mercenaries and his cutthroats for hire were in serious trouble, at least in Iraq. Foolish us. How could an upstanding Christian man with his money and circle of friends ever be in peril, regardless of how foully his minions have performed on his behalf. Now, after a suitable time, and probably suitable gifts as well, Blackwater remains on the job and as the State Dept informs us, indispensable, too.
“We cannot operate without private security firms in Iraq,” said Patrick F. Kennedy, the under secretary of state for management. “If the contractors were removed, we would have to leave Iraq.”That's right, forget about how well the Surge has worked, without their band of MultiBuckeroos, our State Dept would be run out of Iraq. But justice has not been forgotten, to keep up appearances a handful of disposable minions will be ritually thrown under the bus. But don't feel bad for them, they knew this was their lot when they signed up, it's in the fine print of their contract. And it's back to business as usual.
Still, serious risks remain for Blackwater and at least some of its current and former personnel. A federal grand jury continues to consider evidence in the Baghdad shooting. Although the company is not likely to face any criminal charges, people involved in the case say that some Blackwater guards involved in the shooting are cooperating with the F.B.I. as it pursues evidence against other guards.
Separately, a former Blackwater guard is under criminal investigation for the December 2006 shooting death of an Iraqi guard for an Iraqi vice president, and may soon face federal charges. In a third case, two former Blackwater workers pleaded guilty to weapons-related charges, but both received sentences that included no jail time in return for their cooperation with federal prosecutors in a broader investigation.
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