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September 7, 2008 7:53:32 AM CDT

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US Military to Oversee Blackwater Convoys

Posted Oct 31, 07 11:10 AM CDT in US,  World 

(Newser) – The military is taking control of State Department security convoys in Iraq, supervising Blackwater and other contractors, the New York Times reports. State had fought a losing battle to keep control of Blackwater after it was involved in a September incident that left 17 Iraqis dead. Now, the military will oversee contractor recruitment, training, movements and the rules of engagement.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said commanders need the control, “so they aren’t blindsided by contractors running in and out of their battle space and potentially causing problems.” The new rules will impose much stricter rules for the use of force. That might put diplomats at greater risk, Defense says, but it serves the larger mission of winning hearts and minds.

Source New York Times

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Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice prepares to testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on Iraq. (AP Photo/Evan...   (Associated Press)
Protesters dressed as Blackwater security contractors, right, block the entrance of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, prior to Capitol Hill Police...   (Associated Press)
A U.S. army helicopter flies past the minaret of the 14th of Ramadan mosque in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007. The Iraqi government on Tuesday approved draft legislation lifting immunity for foreign...   (Associated Press)
A woman and a child inspect a car with blood splattered on the door after two Christian Iraqi women were shot to death in central Karradah, Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007. Iraqi police, and witnesses...   (Associated Press)
Plainclothes contractors working for Blackwater USA take part in a firefight as Iraqi demonstrators loyal to Muqtada Al Sadr attempt to advance on a facility being defended by U.S. and Spanish soldiers,...   (Associated Press)
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Iraq  • Condoleezza Rice  • Robert Gates  • State Department  • Blackwater  • Defense Department  • Iraq contractors


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