Private Security Company Blackwater Accused of Shooting Iraqi Civilians and Faces Possible Legal Action

New sources around the globe, including CNN have reported that the employees of the privately owned Blackwater Security Company recently opened fire in Baghdad and subsequently killed at least eight Iraqis civilians and wounded nearly eleven others. (CNN)  Abdul-Karim Khalaf, spokesman for the Interior Ministry in Iraq said that they would seek to prosecute any contractors from any nation that are found to have used "excessive force." (NY Sun) After the Blackwater shooting in Baghdad on Sunday he stated that "we have canceled the license of Blackwater and prevented them from working all over the Iraqi territory.  We will also refer those involved to Iraqi judicial authorities." (NY Sun).  According to the U.S. State Department's report Blackwater guards claim they came under fire and were extremely close to a car bomb that went off during transit. (CNN)  The report claims that there were around 10 people, some dressed in what appeared to be Iraqi police uniforms that warranted them to return fire and defend themselves. (CNN).  Two Iraqi witnesses claim that no one attacked Blackwater's convoy of SUVs. (LA Times)

Following the incident and the statement by the Interior Ministry, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice contacted Iraqi Prime Minister Nur al-Maliki and both came to the agreement that a formal and fair investigation would be conducted to figure out who should be punished and held responsible. (CNN)  The Iraqi government's statement that it would be revoking Blackwater's license to act in Iraq and news of possible demands for Blackwater to leave Iraq all represent what the LA Times article refers to as "Iraq's boldest step to assert itself against foreign security contractors who have long been accused of racing through Baghdad's streets and firing without restraint at anyone they see as a threat."  In the U.S. many members of Congress have also spoken out against the actions of Blackwater.  Representative Henry Waxman (D-California) said that hearings would be held soon to discuss the issue of contractors operating in Iraq due to the recent shootings. (CNN) Waxman also noted that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee had held hearings back in February and find the current incident "an unfortunate demonstration of the perils of excessive reliance on private security contractors." (CNN)  During a debate between Jerry Scahill, who wrote "Blackwater:  The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army" and Doug Brooks, who is president of International Peace Operation Associations (which is in the private security industry) estimated that there are as many if not more guards and workers in Iraq as there are U.S. soldiers. (Democracy Now!)

When Khalaf claimed that the Interior Ministry would investigate the Blackwater employees he was ultimately claiming that they had committed a crime.  Peter W. Singer, private security companies expert and analyst for the Brookings Institution, stated "if [Khalaf is] describing this as a crime...there is a very interesting question of 'Do we turn over American citizens to an Iraqi judicial system that is inept, corrupt, and now politicized?'" (LA Times)  Iraq's national security advisor, Mo waffek Rubale continued this line of thinking by suggesting that the Blackwater incident provides a convenient time to look at changing the immunity granted to private security guards from Iraqi courts. (LA Times).  Specifically he claimed that the Coalition Provisional Authority (who gave the immunity) Order 17 should be reviewed while the incident is investigated by the U.S. and Iraq. (LA Times)  Doug Brooks was quoted in the Democracy Now! debate describing Order 17 as "essentially saying that the companies, as long as the individuals are on duty, they are actually under U.S. law.  So there's some question as to whether-what the process would be and how the Iraqis would [throw Blackwater out and hold its guards responsible]." (Democracy Now!)

For more information, please see:

"U.S. Rushes to Smooth Iraq's anger over Blackwater" - LA Times - September 18, 2007

"Iraq Battle was Self-Defense, Security firm says" - CNN - September 18, 2007

"American Firm Ordered Out of Iraq after Firefight" - The NY Sun - September 17, 2007

"Can Iraq (or Anyone) Hold Blackwater Accountable for Killing Iraqi Civilians?  A Debate on the Role of Private Contractors in Iraq" - Democracy Now! - September 18, 2007