Private security firms begin to close in Afghanistan

[babylonsister]

Afghans Close 2 Security Firms; More Likely

By Fisnik Abrashi and Jason Straziuso
Associated Press
Friday, October 12, 2007; Page A14

KABUL, Oct. 11 -- Afghan authorities this week shut down two private security companies and said more than 10 others -- some suspected of murder and robbery -- would soon be closed, Afghan and Western officials said Thursday.

During raids, authorities found 82 illegal weapons being held by Watan and Caps, two Afghan security companies, according to police Gen. Ali Shah Paktiawal. Those firms were shut down Tuesday.

A Western security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said some major Western companies were on the list of at least 10 others tapped for closure. He would not identify them.

The crackdown echoes efforts by authorities in Iraq to rein in private security contractors accused of acting with impunity. Dozens of security companies operate in Afghanistan, some of them well-known U.S. firms such as Blackwater and DynCorp International, but also many others that may not be known even to the Afghan government.

The U.S. military employs about 29,000 private contractors in Afghanistan for a variety of goods and services. About 1,000 of those are security contractors, said Air Force Lt. Col. Todd Vician, a Defense Department spokesman.

The Afghan government's main complaints against the companies concern a lack of accountability, intimidation of citizens, disrespect of local security forces and a failure to cooperate with authorities, according to a set of draft rules being debated by the Afghan government and obtained by the Associated Press.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/11/AR2007101100509.html

[rpannier]

1. Private Contractors are NOT the problem

The maority of private contractors provide essential functions like food service, sanitation, etc.

The two problems are:
1) The mercenaries that are contracted to companies like blackwater and
2) The lack of real oversight of companies like Halliburton

[babylonsister]

2. Yes they are; Blackwater IS a private contractor. Did you even read this? nt

[rpannier]

3. Uhhhhh Yes I did. You must NOT have read my response

The bulk of private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq are NOT mercenaries, they provide food service, sanitation, some medical services etc.

If you had read ny post, which I gather you DIDN'T...

I said there are 2 problems
1) Mercenaries and
2) Lack of oversight.

[babylonsister]

4. The article specifically mentions 'security' firms, not services. nt

[rpannier]

5. My apologies. The article focuses on security firms

It does briefly mention private contractors and the services they provide.

My refernce was private contractors as a whole.

But...for the purpose of this debate....I defer to you. Because You are correct that the focus of the article is on Private Security Contractors.

[babylonsister]

6. I know there are contractors who are totally innocent in this mess, and

understand you were trying to defend them. :hi: