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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
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April 21st,
2009 - Iraqi Victims Outraged at Slow Blackwater Exit 1st news article
from the Associated Press |
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Iraqi Victims Outraged
at Slow Blackwater Exit By Brian Murphy Associated Press April 21, 2009 Baghdad - Some Iraqis
wounded in the September 2007 shootout by guards for the former Blackwater
Worldwide security firm expressed anger and dismay Tuesday after reports that
the company will continue work in Iraq longer than previously thought. Hussein Jabir, a Baghdad
lawyer hit by gunfire in the deadly melee, says he was outraged at the Iraqi
government for not taking a harder stance against the company, now known as
Xe. "The Blackwater
personnel are mercenaries. The Iraqi government knows that very well,"
said Jabir, who still has bullet fragments in his arm and side from the Sept.
16, 2007 shooting that left 17 Iraqis dead and another 20 wounded in
Baghdad's busy Nisoor Square. The bloodshed strained ties
between Iraq and the United States and raised questions about Washington's
use of private security in Iraq and other conflict zones. The State Department said
this month that Xe guards would stop protecting U.S. diplomats on the ground
in Baghdad on May 7, when the company's contract for that specific job
expires and a new security provider, Triple Canopy, takes over. Last
February, Blackwater changed its name to Xe - pronounced ZEE - in a bid to
leave its controversial reputation behind. But State Department
officials told The Associated Press that the company will remain in some
areas of southern Iraq into the summer and its aviation service, Presidential
Airways, will provide air security for U.S. diplomatic convoys into
September. Jabir said he plans to
travel to the United States if the manslaughter charges against five former
Backwater guards moves ahead. In February, a federal judge
denied two motions to dismiss the case against the five men accused in the
2007 shootings. The five argue they are not subject to U.S. civilian criminal
laws because they were working overseas under a contract with the State
Department to help provide security for diplomats. "A case is proceeding
in America, but I'm surprised our own government had not paid attention to
the pain of the victims," Jabir said. Samir Hobi, a teacher
wounded in the shooting, insisted that Iraqi authorities should seek direct
compensation from the Moyock, North Carolina-based company. "No one is asking for
our rights," he said. "The government doesn't care about us. This
case no longer interests them." Sami Hawas Hamoud al-Iz, a
vendor who was shot in the leg, also demanded that the company face trial in
Iraq. "They should be
punished," he said. "We pray to God that they will not escape
justice." Iraqi government officials
did not reply to AP requests for comment on the company's extended stay in
the country. An Iraqi security official,
speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to
the media, said Sunday that Xe will not be allowed to work in Iraq but needs
"some time" to fully shut down its operations there. The official did not give
further details on the timetable. Copyright © 2009 The
Associated Press. External link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j8-xka7yIh4BmC28s6ImXlMB62OwD97MSJS80 Iraq:
Ex-Blackwater air units may stay for year From the Associated Press April 21, 2009 Baghdad - Iraq's government
spokesman says the former Blackwater Worldwide security firm may have some
presence in Iraq until next year. Ali al-Dabbagh says the
company's helicopters could continue operating in Iraq until May 2010. That
significantly extends the company's role in Iraq after being ordered out
following a September 2007 shootout that left 17 Iraqis dead. Al-Dabbagh says the stopgap
measure is needed because Iraq doesn't have the capacity to protect
diplomatic convoys with air power. His comments Tuesday follow
reports the North Carolina-based company - now known as Xe (pronounced ZEE) -
will continue some work in Iraq at least until the summer. The State
Department earlier said it would stop using the company for diplomatic
protection on May 7. Copyright © 2009 The
Associated Press. External link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j8-xka7yIh4BmC28s6ImXlMB62OwD97MVS1G0 |