DHL halts Iraq service after 'hit'

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/11/22/sprj.irq.dhl.ap/

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- The global package delivery service DHL suspended flights to Iraq on Saturday after one of its cargo planes was forced to make an emergency landing at Baghdad International Airport with its wing ablaze.

The Belgium-based courier said it had not yet confirmed what happened to the plane, but was working with authorities to find out. A military source in Baghdad, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press the plane had been struck by a SAM-7 surface-to-air missile.

DHL spokeswoman Patricia Thomson in Brussels said the company decided to suspend its flights to Baghdad through Monday while it conducts a "full security assessment."

DHL has been making about two or three flights a day into Baghdad since June.
<snip>

There are going to be more and more "contractors" dropping out of this war as their casualties rise. Thus, an inherent problem with the privatization of the US military.

A contractor can take his toys and go home when he wants.

[54anickel]

1. Excellent point. They will bail, due to loss profits or danger.

Personally I think most will base the decision to cut on the bottom line. Cargo planes do not come cheap. Nor do pilots that will want a heck of a lot more salary to put their butt on the line for the corporations profit margin.

[Scott Lee]

2. "When it absolutely, positively has to be blown up overnight."

or was that FedEx?

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. I think that's any Air freight company without chaff that flies into/over

Iraq.

The numbers of "contractors" being killed or injured seems to be on a proportional rise with American service people. The stockholders will start to wince after a few law suits are files on behalf of the injured or killed and the companies will pull out.

Thinking "out loud" here, but that would be an effective plan for people who want us out of there. Rummy's new Army seems to be centered around the idea of privatization. Just scare off the companies that are providing support...

[Scott Lee]

5. Oh I agree...one sure way to stop the war is to frighten investors

Since money is at the root of this thing. You are definitely onto something.

[schultzee]

7. Halliburton has cost plus....they just pass it on to us.

[aquart]

4. An excellent incentive to step up guerrilla activity.

[Noordam]

6. picture from CNN Site

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. Wow...that crew was very lucky.

[teryang]

8. Every impediment to commerce

...with Iraq is "militarily significant." If you can't do business you can't rule.