State Department Considering Phasing Out Private Security Firms In Iraq

Washington D.C. (AHN) - The State Department is considering phasing out or curbing the use of private security guards in Iraq, a move that could lead to the cancellation of its contract with the controversial firm Blackwater USA.

Considering U.S. reliance on Blackwater and similar firms however, two senior officials admit the proposal could meet some difficulties, but nevertheless is one of the options the State Department is mulling after the Iraqi government demanded that private contractors be pulled out of the war-torn country.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officials told the Associated Press that the option is part of the comprehensive security review in Iraq that Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice ordered after Blackwater guards allegedly gunned down 17 Iraqi civilians while assigned to a U.S. Embassy Convoy on Sept. 16.

Citing the lack of manpower and equipment to adequately protect U.S. diplomats stationed in Iraq, the officials said that the review panel is not expected to recommend banning all private contractors but added that the department is studying other alternatives to offer security services to American officials working in Iraq.

These include hiring Blackwater and other private guards as temporary U.S. government employees or forming Iraqi companies with Iraqi employees to protect U.S. diplomats, similar to how local guards protect embassy staff in other countries, the officials said. The latter would bring the guards under Iraqi jurisdiction, the officials explained.

Blackwater is the largest of three U.S. companies eligible to bid on specific task orders in Iraq. If Blackwater were to be eased out, its operations would have to be assumed by more companies which could force the Department to open its bidding process to other firms, including foreign companies, the officials said.

While saying that no concrete decisions have yet been made on what the review panel will recommend, the officials added that these would depend on interpretations of Iraqi and U.S. laws as well as government regulations for vendors.