Jeremy Scahill on Dem Now! today, talking 'Blackwater'

[babylonsister]

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/09/18/140201

Can Iraq (or Anyone) Hold Blackwater Accountable for Killing Iraqi Civilians? A Debate On the Role of Private Contractors in Iraq


As the Iraq government expels Blackwater over the killing of 11 Iraqi civilians, Jeremy Scahill, author of "Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army," debates Doug Brooks, president of International Peace Operations Association, a trade group for the private security industry. The Bush administration is trying to stop the Iraqi government from banning the private military firm Blackwater. Iraqi officials say they've revoked Blackwater's license over a deadly shooting that killed up to eleven civilians. Witnesses say Blackwater guards fired indiscriminately after a car bomb exploded near their convoy. Blackwater is denying wrongdoing and says it guards properly responded to an ambush from insurgents. But Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani called the shootings: “a big crime that we can't be silent about.”

U.S. officials have already gone into overdrive to prevent the move. On Monday, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice telephoned Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Malaki and vowed an investigation. But the Iraqi government appears to be holding ground. Earlier today Iraq Maliki's cabinet said it supports the ban and will review the legal status of all private military companies working in Iraq.

The shootout is only Blackwater's latest controversy in Iraq. The North Carolina-based firm operates under a multi-million dollar contract to protect U.S. officials and facilities. It's been allowed close to free reign under a murky legal environment that offers little to no oversight over its operations.

The author and independent journalist Jeremy Scahill has been closely following Blackwater. He is the author of the New York Times best-seller “Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army.” Jeremy joins me in the firehouse studio.

And joining me from Washington, DC is Doug Brooks. He is President of International Peace Operations Association, a trade group for the private security industry. Blackwater is a founding member.

* Doug Brooks, President of the International Peace Operations Association. Blackwater is a founding member of the IPAO.
* Jeremy Scahill, Independent journalist, Democracy Now correspondent, author of "Blackwater: the Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army."

[AuntPatsy]

1. I don't believe they will be held accountable for anything they do. History is proof.

[Blaze Diem]

2. Also believe more that Blkwater will NOT be held to account, BUT

it is encouraging that there is discussion in our Senate, thanks to Sen. Kucinich.
I hope that it continues until Blkwater's true mission and who they represent, is brought to light.
The US taxpayers should be made glaringly aware of what we've purchased and the threat to our own Nation via this mercenary org.