Iraq To Deny Blackwater License Renewal

Iraq to deny license to Blackwater guards

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq will not renew the license of Blackwater Worldwide, the private security firm accused of killing Iraqi civilians while protecting U.S. diplomats, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Thursday.

"The operating permission for the firm Blackwater will not be renewed. Its chance is zero," said Alaa al-Taie, head of the press department at the Iraqi Interior Ministry.

"It is not acceptable to Iraqis and there are legal points against it, like killing Iraqis with their weapons."

A U.S. embassy official confirmed that the embassy had been informed that the license would not be renewed, and said it was working on finding a new arrangement to cover its security…

Blackwater employs hundreds of heavily-armed guards with a fleet of armored vehicles and helicopters to protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq. The firm boasts that no American officials have been killed while under its protection…

How many will die because of this fit of pique?

This is a victory of Anti-American propaganda over actual substance.

"It is not acceptable to Iraqis and there are legal points against it, like killing Iraqis with their weapons."

Perhaps Mr. Alaa al-Taie hasn’t noticed, but there are a lot of Iraqis who are also terrorists.

One is reminded of the 1960’s slogan, “the next time you need a cop call a hippie.” Or maybe a journalist.

Still, it will be interesting to see how long it is before Iraq quietly asks to have Blackwater back.

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