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Blackwater Played by Its Own Rules

State Dept exempted security firm from Iraqi and US military oversight

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 20, 2007 9:54 AM CDT

(Newser) – Blackwater, the private security firm involved in the shooting of 10 civilians in Baghdad Sunday, has operated outside US military regulations governing other security contractors in Iraq, the Washington Post reports. Deployed and protected by the State Department, they were exempted from oversight by the Iraqi Interior Ministry, and not subject to military rules on use of offensive weapons, the paper says.

“The Iraqis despised them, because they were untouchable,” says one diplomat. "They were above the law." Blackwater had allegedly opened fire on civilians six times before Sunday’s shooting—more than any other contractor in Iraq—and repeatedly clashed with Iraqi authorities over their tactics, the Post claims. The State Department says it holds contractors to a high standard. But Blackwater’s tactics are “obviously condoned by State,” says one regulator. “If they didn't like it they would change it.”

IRAQ-UNREST-US-BAGHDAD-BLACKWATER (Getty Images)

A helicopter owned by Blackwater USA, a private security contractor, flies over central Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007. Iraq's decision to temporarily ban Blackwater USA after a fatal shooting... (Associated Press)

In this image released by the Iraqi government, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki speaks to reporters in Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007. Iraq's prime minister on Wednesday disputed Blackwater... (Associated Press)

Blackwater CEO and founder Erik Prince listens during a panel discussion on protecting people and physical security hosted by North Carolina Technology Association in Cary, N.C., Thursday, June 7, 2007.... (Associated Press)

Hassan Jabir, 37, recovers from gunshot wounds in a hospital in Baghdad, Iraq on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007. Jabir, a lawyer, says he was in his car in the Mansour neighborhood when guards in a U.S. State... (Associated Press)

Hassan Jaber, 37, recovers from gunshot wounds in a hospital in Baghdad, Iraq on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007. Jaber, a lawyer, says he was in his car in the Mansour neighborhood when guards in a U.S. State... (Associated Press)

(FILES) -- File picture dated 05 July 2005 shows Blackwater US... (Getty Images)

IRAQ-UNREST-US-BLACKWATER (Getty Images)

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Blackwater Played by Its Own Rules

State Dept exempted security firm from Iraqi and US military oversight

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State Dept exempted security firm from Iraqi and US military oversight

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Related Links

Iraq • Baghdad • security • State Department • Blackwater

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Yet Another Blackwater Case Collapses

Issues with evidence, immunity make prosecution tough

Iraq Will Sue Blackwater Guards

Dismissal of manslaughter charges leaves Baghdad irate

Blackwater OK'd $1M Bribe Fund After '07 Iraq Shooting

Money was destined for officials critical after 17 killed

Blackwater Bilked US Out of $55M for Iraq Security: Audit

Company didn't provide enough workers

Blackwater's Iraq Contract Ends

Virginia firm takes over security duties

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Newser By Users

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