New Regulations for Blackwater
This is actually a pretty smart policy being implemented by the State Department and makes me wonder why they didn’t do this long ago:
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday ordered federal agents to ride with Blackwater USA escorts of U.S. diplomatic convoys in Baghdad to tighten oversight after a shooting in which private guards are accused of killing 13 Iraqi civilians.
She also ordered video cameras installed in Blackwater vehicles.
The steps will require the State Department to deploy dozens of additional in-house Diplomatic Security agents to accompany Blackwater guards and are the first in a series of moves Rice is expected to take to boost control of contractors the agency depends on to protect its diplomats in Iraq. [Matthew Lee, AP]
Police officers in the US long ago installed video cameras to help protect the police from all the false claims of police brutality and now the State Department has to do the same thing. The deploying of additional diplomatic security agents once again leaves me wondering why didn’t they do this a long time ago? I can only guess it is because when Blackwater guys die in Iraq no one cares when a State Department guy dies it will makes news.
Don’t expect this issue to go away because I fully expect more manufactured controversies to be forthcoming in Iraq if not against Blackwater than against other government contractors. Another important question that needs to be asked is that as Iraq transfers more and more into a police role for the US military will the military need cameras installed as well?
[…] plays down trip by UN atomic chief …Blogged about at New Regulations for Blackwater – forward deployed, India's government on Tuesday played down a visit by the chief of the U.N. atomic watchdog, […]
Four former Blackwater security guards have been indicted in the 2007 Baghdad shooting that inflamed Iraqi public opinion. Frederic J Frommer and Eric Tucker have the big story.
Glans, I have no love for Blackwater at all… but when prosecutors withhold evidence that casts doubt on the prosecution’s story, my sympathies quickly go to the defendant.
Further, this case has an “appease the Iraqis” feel to it much like the unnecessary trial in the 2002 Korean Schoolgirl Incident.
I haven’t followed it in detail… but this is my impression based on the similarities it has with incidents I am more familiar with.
Any comment?
Any comment?
An indictment is an accusation. The defendants have a right to a fair trial.
The invasion of Iraq was a horrible mistake. The sooner we get our forces out of Afghanistan, the better.
I meant, do you have any comment on the validity of the accusations and the reasoning behind this much-delayed indictment.
Throwing out links without a bit of personal opinion is kind of limp-d1ck. I can go to a news website for information. I come here when I want opinion.
Iraq was a mistake…. I heard it on MSNBC. And Oprah.