US replaces Blackwater for some Iraq security

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – The State Department said Wednesday it has signed the Virginia-based private security firm Triple Canopy to take over protecting U.S. diplomats on the ground in Iraq from Blackwater Worldwide, now known as Xe.

Blackwater, which earlier this year changed its name to Xe (pronounced "Zee"), had come under heavy criticism for its alleged role in a fatal gun battle in Iraq. The Iraqi government refused to renew the firm's license to operate in the country.

State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid said the government gave the job to Triple Canopy on Tuesday following a decision made in January not to renew Blackwater's contract.

"The department awarded Triple Canopy the ground task order for protective security details in Baghdad after a thorough evaluation of proposals from each company that had submitted bids," Duguid told reporters.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090401/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_blackwater_iraq_1

[peace13]

1. I guess our troops aren't good enough? n/t

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

2. Bids? BIDS? "B I D S???"

Whatdahell is a bid?

:shrug:

[ArcticFox]

3. Don't they get it?

It's not the particular company that's the problem. It's the CONCEPT of using MERCENARIES for something that government employees should be doing. If the Army or Marines can't provide security for whatever political reason, why not the Secret Service?

Doesn't anybody in the administration watch "24"? For all its problems with believability and poor character development (what's with the president being perpetually perplexed?), the show does make a good point: DON'T SUPPORT MERCENARY ARMIES.

[RamboLiberal]

4. Actually the State Department had their own protective force

I remember seeing a number of years ago a program about them and their training. Guess US Govt pretty much outsourced them when the jerks like Blackwater came along.

I agree - that's a good plotline to pay attention to this season in "24" - their Blackwater is named Starkwood and the meglomaniac founder is attacking the U.S. for his own political purposes.

And anyone remember Ravenwood in the excellent TV series Jericho?

[BumRushDaShow]

5. "And anyone remember Ravenwood in the excellent TV series Jericho?"

Yup. And see how quickly that show was taken off the air, even after its brief reprieve?

[Michigan-Arizona]

6. Jericho

Hubby & I never missed an episode. We felt they took it off because it hit to close to home & we can't have that now.

[ArcticFox]

8. Jericho was good

I caught all the episodes in a marathon last year. I'm sure it was taken down for political reasons, because it was pretty well-produced and well thought-out. That is, until the final episode or two when it seemed to have been re-written to effect a rather abrupt ending.

[EFerrari]

7. Amy had a segment about this today with Scahill:

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/4/2/obamas_blackwater_jeremy_scahill_on_triple