Gates: Security contractors conflict with U.S. mission in Iraq

[sabra]

Source: LA Times

WASHINGTON -- The behavior of private security contractors in Iraq is in direct conflict with the goals of the U.S. military, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday in an unusually frank critique, adding that the guards' mistreatment of Iraqis is hindering Pentagon efforts at winning hearts and minds.

Gates said at a Pentagon news conference that he planned to meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in coming days to iron out new regulations governing the conduct of the estimated 8,500 armed guards working for the Pentagon and State Department in Iraq.

Last month, the Defense secretary sent a five-man team to Iraq to investigate contractor oversight after the high-profile killing of 17 Iraqis in a Baghdad shooting involving Blackwater USA, the private security contractor hired to protect U.S. diplomats.

Although Blackwater works for the State Department, the Pentagon employs the vast majority of such hired guns in Iraq -- about 7,300 -- and Gates within days ordered commanders in the country to be more aggressive in using military law to discipline contractors in their areas of responsibility.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-blackwater19oct19,1,5642212.story?coll=la-headlines-nation&ctrack=1&cset=true

[earthboundmisfit]

1. Uh-oh. I'll bet Gates gets a visit from Cheney PDQ

Followed by a "clarification" by Gates on the MSM - or his resignation, if he doesn't want to play the right kind of ball with BushCo.

[0007]

2. Quail season is right around the corner. The dick will cerainly

invite Gates to where the shootin' is heavy.

[saigon68]

3. Killing innocent children doesn't really further the CHIMPANZEE'S VERSION

Of "FREEDOM ON THE MARCH"