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Banned Blackwater Still Working in Iraq

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 20, 2009 8:40 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Washington refused to renew Blackwater's contracts in Iraq, and Baghdad told the company to get out—but that doesn't mean it's actually left, the AP reports. The private mercenary firm, now called Xe, still runs ground operations and provides air security for US convoys, and may continue doing so until as late as September.

Two years after a gunfight that killed 17 civilians, Iraqi authorities banned the company and the State Department said it wouldn't renew Blackwater's contracts, but some of the contracts, it turns out, don't expire until September. After new contracts are signed, Xe employees could transfer to the winning bidder. "The logical place to start looking" for workers will be among "those who are already there," says one analyst.

A Blackwater MD-530F flies over the Republican Palace in Baghdad.
A Blackwater MD-530F flies over the Republican Palace in Baghdad.   (Wikipedia)
In this July 21, 2008, file photo, Erik Prince, founder and fpr,er CEO of Blackwater Worldwide is seen at Blackwater's offices in Moyock, NC.
In this July 21, 2008, file photo, Erik Prince, founder and fpr,er CEO of Blackwater Worldwide is seen at Blackwater's offices in Moyock, NC.   (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
In this April 4, 2004 file photo, plainclothes contractors working for Blackwater USA take part in a firefight in Najaf, Iraq.
In this April 4, 2004 file photo, plainclothes contractors working for Blackwater USA take part in a firefight in Najaf, Iraq.   (AP Photo/Gervasio Sanchez, FILE)
In this April 4, 2004 file photo, Blackwater USA contractors take part in a firefight in the Iraqi city of Najaf.
In this April 4, 2004 file photo, Blackwater USA contractors take part in a firefight in the Iraqi city of Najaf.   (AP Photo/Gervasio Sanchez)
Vehicles leave Blackwater's training facility October 2, 2007 in Mount Carroll, Illinois.
Vehicles leave Blackwater's training facility October 2, 2007 in Mount Carroll, Illinois.   (Getty Images)
Blackwater security guards US State Department employees in this undated file photo.
Blackwater security guards US State Department employees in this undated file photo.   (Wikipedia)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Robert_Dada
Apr 21, 2009 12:16 PM CDT
I'm sure you would feel the same way if it was one of your family members senselessly murdered?
AmericaPrevails
Apr 21, 2009 3:19 AM CDT
When your enemies dress as your friends and your friends as your enemies on the streets, then who is to know which is friend and which is enemy? Thats kinda what the Blackwater guards had to deal with. Is it a terrible thing, the killing of 17 civilians? Yes. However when your friends have been killed at fake police check points by terrorists in police clothing, or blown up by people "dressed as a friendly" I think you would be a little jumpy as well eh? Don't be so fast to judge what these men go through, if you have never been intheir shoes. Again, it was a terrible thing that happened. But the circumstances plus shot nerves = a unfortionate incident, those men messed up, now lets the rest of us move on.

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