Iraq Orders Blackwater USA Contractors Out
The United States on Tuesday suspended all land travel by U.S. diplomats and other civilian officials in Iraq outside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, amid mounting public outrage over the alleged killing of civilians by the U.S. Embassy's security provider Blackwater USA.
The move came even as the Iraqi government appeared to back down from statements Monday that it had permanently revoked Blackwater's license and would order its 1,000 personnel to leave the country - depriving American diplomats of security protection essential to operating in Baghdad.
"We are not intending to stop them and revoke their license indefinitely but we do need them to respect the law and the regulation here in Iraq," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told CNN.
The U.S. order confines most American officials to a 3.5 sq. mile area in the center of the city, meaning they cannot visit U.S.-funded construction sites or Iraqi officials elsewhere in the country except by helicopter. The notice did not say when the suspension would expire.
The Iraqi Cabinet decided Tuesday to review the status of all foreign security companies. Still, it was unclear how the dispute would play out, given the government's need to appear resolute in defending national sovereignty while maintaining its relationship with Washington at a time when U.S. public support for the mission is faltering.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki looked to gain political capital from the move against unpopular foreign security contractors. His government said Tuesday it would review the status of all foreign security firms working in the country.
Meanwhile, radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who wields tremendous influence among regular Iraqis and many politicians despite his militia being one of the most feared in Iraq, called for a ban on all the companies of "the occupiers."
The State Department moved quickly to tamp down anger and possible repercussions after the alleged killings.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday to express regret at the loss of life and promise that the results of an internal investigation into Sunday's incident would be shared with the government in Baghdad.
"She told the prime minister that we were investigating this incident and wanted to gain a full understanding of what happened," said deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey. "She reiterated that the United States does everything it can to avoid such loss of life, in contrast to the enemies of the Iraqi people who deliberately target civilians."
Rice and al-Maliki "agreed on the importance of working closely together in the time ahead on a transparent investigation," Casey added.
Yassin Majid, an adviser to Iraq's prime minister, made no mention of the order to expel Blackwater, and it was unlikely the United States would agree to abandon a security company that plays such a critical role in American operations in Iraq.
If carried out, the order would deal a severe blow to U.S. government operations in Iraq by stripping diplomats, engineers, reconstruction officials and others of their security protection and the decision by al-Maliki's government was widely welcomed by Iraqis and likely to give the Shiite leader a political boost.
Also exploiting public rage over the killings of what police said were 11 civilians by Blackwater guards, anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr demanded that the government ban all 48,000 foreign security contractors.
Al-Sadr's office in Najaf said the government should nullify contracts of all foreign security companies, branding them "criminal and intelligence firms."
"This aggression would not have happened had it not been for the presence of the occupiers who brought these companies, most of whose members are criminals and ex-convicts in American and Western prisons," the firebrand cleric said in a statement.
Al-Sadr insisted that the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki prosecute those involved and ensure that families of the victims receive compensation.
There was no threat by al-Sadr to unleash his Mahdi Army militia in retaliation for the killings.
However, his statement was significant because it signaled al-Sadr's intention to stir up anti-American sentiment in the wake of the weekend shootings and further undermine al-Maliki's U.S.-backed government.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The move came even as the Iraqi government appeared to back down from statements Monday that it had permanently revoked Blackwater's license and would order its 1,000 personnel to leave the country - depriving American diplomats of security protection essential to operating in Baghdad.
"We are not intending to stop them and revoke their license indefinitely but we do need them to respect the law and the regulation here in Iraq," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told CNN.
The U.S. order confines most American officials to a 3.5 sq. mile area in the center of the city, meaning they cannot visit U.S.-funded construction sites or Iraqi officials elsewhere in the country except by helicopter. The notice did not say when the suspension would expire.
The Iraqi Cabinet decided Tuesday to review the status of all foreign security companies. Still, it was unclear how the dispute would play out, given the government's need to appear resolute in defending national sovereignty while maintaining its relationship with Washington at a time when U.S. public support for the mission is faltering.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki looked to gain political capital from the move against unpopular foreign security contractors. His government said Tuesday it would review the status of all foreign security firms working in the country.
Meanwhile, radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who wields tremendous influence among regular Iraqis and many politicians despite his militia being one of the most feared in Iraq, called for a ban on all the companies of "the occupiers."
The State Department moved quickly to tamp down anger and possible repercussions after the alleged killings.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday to express regret at the loss of life and promise that the results of an internal investigation into Sunday's incident would be shared with the government in Baghdad.
"She told the prime minister that we were investigating this incident and wanted to gain a full understanding of what happened," said deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey. "She reiterated that the United States does everything it can to avoid such loss of life, in contrast to the enemies of the Iraqi people who deliberately target civilians."
Rice and al-Maliki "agreed on the importance of working closely together in the time ahead on a transparent investigation," Casey added.
Yassin Majid, an adviser to Iraq's prime minister, made no mention of the order to expel Blackwater, and it was unlikely the United States would agree to abandon a security company that plays such a critical role in American operations in Iraq.
If carried out, the order would deal a severe blow to U.S. government operations in Iraq by stripping diplomats, engineers, reconstruction officials and others of their security protection and the decision by al-Maliki's government was widely welcomed by Iraqis and likely to give the Shiite leader a political boost.
Also exploiting public rage over the killings of what police said were 11 civilians by Blackwater guards, anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr demanded that the government ban all 48,000 foreign security contractors.
Al-Sadr's office in Najaf said the government should nullify contracts of all foreign security companies, branding them "criminal and intelligence firms."
"This aggression would not have happened had it not been for the presence of the occupiers who brought these companies, most of whose members are criminals and ex-convicts in American and Western prisons," the firebrand cleric said in a statement.
Al-Sadr insisted that the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki prosecute those involved and ensure that families of the victims receive compensation.
There was no threat by al-Sadr to unleash his Mahdi Army militia in retaliation for the killings.
However, his statement was significant because it signaled al-Sadr's intention to stir up anti-American sentiment in the wake of the weekend shootings and further undermine al-Maliki's U.S.-backed government.
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Laughed so hard im dizzy ... i thought it was really lars at first ... oh my, need to catch my breath ...
Posted by lars008 at 09:13 PM : Sep 18, 2007
When stealing US TAX DOLLARS to buy HATRED, TERRORISM and 9/11 against AMERICANS can be legal, anything can be legal.
CHRISTIANITY is PSYCHOSIS and CHRISTIANS are PSYCHOTICS.
This world was much better with PSYCHOTIC CHRISTIANS playing THE FATHER, THE SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT in the CHURCHES "(The holy, god-loving, conservative, republican-supporter, christian man is "THE FATHER", that young, innocent, little boy whose pant is pulled down in the name of god is "THE SON", and what is inserted in the "BACK HOLE" of that boy in the name of "JESUS" is the "HOLY SPIRIT") then to come into US POLITICS and SODOMIZE UNITED STATES.
lars,
I don''''''''t mind if your god made MARY pregnant with JESUS, I will never allow your god to come into US POLITICS, SCREW UNITED STATES (like PSYCHOTIC CHRSITIANS CRAIG and FOLEY were trying to do with the AMERICAN BOYS) and make United States pregnant with HATRED, TERRORISM and 9/11.
lars,
If you believe in HEAVEN, when you die, don''t forget to keep KY Jelly with you. You will have to face god loving christian men believing in THE FATHER, THE SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Here we were told it was Iran doing the smuggling.
And. . . this only one of the investigations that is being directed toward IG Howard J. Krongard in Iraq.
Posted by lars008 at 09:13 PM : Sep 18, 2007
When stealing US TAX DOLLARS to buy HATRED, TERRORISM and 9/11 against AMERICANS can be legal, anything can be legal.
CHRISTIANITY is PSYCHOSIS and CHRISTIANS are PSYCHOTICS.
This world was much better with PSYCHOTIC CHRISTIANS playing THE FATHER, THE SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT in the CHURCHES "(The holy, god-loving, conservative, republican-supporter, christian man is "THE FATHER", that young, innocent, little boy whose pant is pulled down in the name of god is "THE SON", and what is inserted in the "BACK HOLE" of that boy in the name of "JESUS" is the "HOLY SPIRIT") then to come into US POLITICS and SODOMIZE UNITED STATES.
lars,
I don''''t mind if your god made MARY pregnant with JESUS, I will never allow your god to come into US POLITICS, SCREW UNITED STATES (like PSYCHOTIC CHRSITIANS CRAIG and FOLEY were trying to do with the AMERICAN BOYS) and make United States pregnant with HATRED, TERRORISM and 9/11.
Posted by lars008 at 09:13 PM : Sep 18, 2007
When stealing US TAX DOLLARS to buy HATRED, TERRORISM and 9/11 against AMERICANS can be legal, anything can be legal.
CHRISTIANITY is PSYCHOSIS and CHRISTIANS are PSYCHOTICS.
This world was much better with PSYCHOTIC CHRISTIANS playing THE FATHER, THE SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT in the CHURCHES then to come into US POLITICS and SODOMIZE UNITED STATES.
lars,
I don''t mind if your god made MARY pregnant with JESUS, I will never allow your god to come into US POLITICS, SCREW UNITED STATES (like PSYCHOTIC CHRSITIANS CRAIG and FOLEY were trying to do with the AMERICAN BOYS) and make United States pregnant with HATER, TERRORISM and 9/11.
If You Google
Ron Paul http://www.youtube.com/user/RonPaul2008dotcom
Meet Ron Paul http://www.apfn.org/apfn/ronpaul.htm
B) DEPLETED URANIUM ALERT. http://www.apfn.org/apfn/DU.htm
C) HOW TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT
Includes 6 part videos: The Case for
Impeachment http://www.apfn.org/apfn/impeach_pres.htm
D) Veteran''s and Family Members exposed to DU Go
Here: http://www.naav.com
E) Here is who controls America Learn What you never were supposed too about the bankers: Secrets of The Federal Reserve: It is a Corporation! Like Greenspan said awhile ago "He who controls the Gold is he who makes the rules! See who owns the gold ;)
WOW! http://www.apfn.org/apfn/reserve.htm
F) EVERYTHING including the truth about 9/11 Check it Out! http://www.apfn.org/apfn/sitemap.htm
G) http://thetruth07.110mb.com (Skull & Bones)
The guy you are talking about is not alive any more and he never lived in USA, whereas; those PSYCHOTIC CHRISTIANS who believe in "THE FATHER", "THE SON" and "THE HOLY SPIRIT" "(The holy, god-loving, conservative, republican-supporter, christian man is "THE FATHER", that young, innocent, little boy whose pant is pulled down in the name of god is "THE SON", and what is inserted in the "BACK HOLE" of that boy in the name of "JESUS" is the "HOLY SPIRIT")
are alive and living in United States like;
the FASCIST NAZI TERROR CHRISTIAN JOHN DAVID ROY ATCHISON who was flying from FL to MI to screw a 5 years old girl since JESUS died for his sin?
FASCIST NAZI TERROR CHRISTIAN "CRAIG" who was trying to play THE FATHER, THE SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT in the bathroom of MINNESOTA?
FASCIST NAZI TERROR CHRISTIAN "FOLEY" who was trying to play THE FATHER, THE SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT on internet, and the list goes on and on and on.
the war is legal, demonic-rat hero al bore says so%u2026
the resumption of hostilities was only a matter of time since iraq broke the ceasefire agreement.....
blame saddam for iraq%u2026%u2026. Even clintoon and the dems wanted the resumption of hostilities back in 1998
"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
"Iraq''s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
Moreover, no international law can prevent the United States from taking actions to protect its vital interests, when it is manifestly clear that there is a choice to be made between law and survival. I believe, however, that such a choice is not presented in the case of Iraq. Indeed, should we decide to proceed, that action can be justified within the framework of international law rather than outside it. In fact, though a new UN resolution may be helpful in building international consensus, the existing resolutions from 1991 are sufficient from a legal standpoint. - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/gore/gore092302sp.htm
Now if only someone here had the guts enough to throw Bush''s "storm troopers" out of this country, maybe exiled them to Antartica along with the Emperor, VP Darth Cheney, and the rest of the right-wing neocon crowd in Washington.
And if that ever happens, please, force them to take "Bagdad John" McCain with them!
SIG HEIL BUSH!!!