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US Military to Oversee Blackwater Convoys

Defense Dept. wins tug of war with State for control of contractors

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 31, 2007 11:10 AM CDT
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(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.

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 Vucci)
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)
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, in this April 4, 2004 file photo in the Iraqi city of Najaf,. The Blackwater USA contractors...
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)
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 officers, left, arresting them during an anti-war and anti-climate change demonstration. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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 private security companies, sending the measure to parliament, following a Sept. 16 shooting incident involving Blackwater...
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 said that the men who shot them were in a convoy of four...
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)
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Senior diplomats want Blackwater details
Washington Post

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AFP

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World • US

 
Iraq • Robert Gates • Condoleezza Rice • State Department • Blackwater • Department of Defense • Iraq contractors

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