Ahhhhhhh...Contractors say a number of private security companies end up operating without liscense.

[Flabbergasted]

Which will likely be a good justification for Blackwater remaining in Iraq. Who's going to get all 48 thousand of them leave anyway?

Unlicensed security
By Sharon Behn
September 18, 2007

Private security contractors in Iraq say most expatriate companies in the country operate without licenses because corrupt government officials who issue them demand bribes of up to $1 million.

"A couple of companies tried to get licenses, but no one has licenses because the bribes they were asking were too big, up to $1 million," said a member of the elite Blackwater USA security company which has been ordered by Iraqi authorities to halt its operations.

As a result, contractors say a number of private security companies end up operating in Iraq without proper licenses.

Iraq's government said in Baghdad today that it would review the status of all foreign security companies, reacting to public anger over the purported killings of civilians by Blackwater, one of three companies that protect State Department personnel in Iraq.

Exploiting that anger, anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr demanded the government ban all 48,000 foreign security contractors, whom Iraqis have long viewed as mercenaries, the Associated Press reported.

"Part of this is a chance to get back at the Americans," one U.S. special operations contractor told The Washington Times. "This was hand-delivered to them. is one of the most powerful and well-equipped security forces."

The incident, which left eight Iraqi civilians dead by most accounts, occurred Sunday when Blackwater was escorting a convoy through one of Baghdad's Sunni neighborhoods.

According to the North Carolina-based company, the convoy was attacked by armed insurgents using small-arms fire. The U.S. contractors returned fire to get their clients out of the area safely.

http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070918/FOREIGN/109190017/1003

[aquart]

1. They ARE mercenaries. "Contractor" is the euphemism.

Since they are operating without a license, does this make them roving bands of illegal aliens? Should Iraq build a fence?

[Flabbergasted]

3. Yes and give them jobs that "Iraqis won't do"

[Rick Myers]

2. This is a good thing. Gets exposure to Iraqi 'independent' thought

They want the terrorists out of their country!!!

Blackwater is a RICO criminal organization. Out of the United States, NOW!!! Move to Dubai!!!