Private Contractors Kill 11 Iraqis Blackwater Incident September 16th

Basics of the topic: Blackwater is a private contracting company that contracts it’s services for American security. On Sunday there was a fire fight that killed at least 8 Iraqis but most reports claim 11 There is discrepancy about whether it was an innocent attack or a defense operation. Though there has been declaration of punishment it is doubtful that Iraq can do anything to the company.

Blackwater is a private contracting company that contracts it’s services for American security. There are many companies in Iraq that are “private contractors” They contract out their services for protection and military like escorts. Blackwater has been praised for it’s help before, as well as had employees killed in firefights or hung from a bridge as an example. Blackwater was started in 1998 by an ex-navy seal to provide security as well as training for other security services (including police and naval units)

On Sunday there was a fire fight that killed at least 8 Iraqis but most reports claim 11 Sunday there a convoy of State Department vehicles came under fire in a busy square in western Baghdad. Two bombs are thought to have exploded near the convoy. The Blackwater guards opened fire and in the process killed 11 Iraqis. Some witnesses claim that Blackwater helicopters began shooting into the scene

There is discrepancy about whether it was an innocent attack or a defense operation. Blackwater says that they were defending themselves against armed enemies and were acting heroically in a war zone Iraqis claim it was an over reaction to a car bombing near, but not aimed at the convoy

Though there has been declaration of punishment it is doubtful that Iraq can do anything to the company. Few Contracting company’s hold up to date liscenses, (so they can not be revoked.) Even if they are expelled from the country they will not face punishment under Iraqi law. (The U.S. has never allowed this for fear of a snowball effect.) Memorandum 17 of the Coalition Provisional Authority written in 2004 made foreign contractors immune to Iraqi law. (This was before the new government was set up so some would argue it no longer applies.)

The Final Analysis: This incident will change the way that contracting companies are allowed to work in Iraq. It will change the way that American diplomats and others working in Iraq are protected, causing more military troops to have this duty. It strains the efforts to bring the country into a time of peace and trust with Americans, their troops and their employees.