">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iraq: No long-term role for ex-Blackwater units
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Iraq: No long-term role for ex-Blackwater units
AP - Wednesday, April 22
BAGHDAD - Iraq's government spokesman insisted Tuesday that the former Blackwater Worldwide can have no long-term presence in the country and said authorities will continue to press for compensation for a deadly September 2007 shooting.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ali al-Dabbagh confirmed that the company _ now known as Xe _ will have a presence at least until summer in some ground and air protection roles, but gave no other details of when the last former Blackwater units could be out of Iraq.
Iraq is currently making plans to take over some of the company's roles, such as helicopter patrols, but needs at least until May 2010 to train local units. He said a "company will extend its work" to help protect Iraqi airspace until next year, but he later clarified that he was not referring to the former Blackwater. He did not say what company could serve in the stopgap role.
"We do not want Blackwater to work in Iraqi airspace or land ... under one name or another," he said. "We will press for compensation."
Some Iraqis wounded in the Sept. 16, 2007 shooting in Baghdad's busy Nisoor Square said they were dismayed to hear the company will work in Iraq longer than previously thought.
After the Nisoor Square melee, which left 17 Iraqis dead and another 20 wounded, Iraqi officials ruled that North Carolina-based Blackwater would be barred from operating in the country. Despite the ban, the State Department renewed Blackwater's contract seven months later, in April 2008.
In January of this year, Iraqi authorities denied the company an operating license.
Hussein Jabir, a Baghdad lawyer hit by gunfire in Nisoor Square, says he was outraged at the Iraqi government for not taking a harder stance.
"The Blackwater personnel are mercenaries. The Iraqi government knows that very well," said Jabir, who still has bullet fragments in his arm and side.
The bloodshed strained ties between Iraq and the United States and raised questions about Washington's use of private security in Iraq and other conflict zones.
The State Department said this month that Xe guards would stop protecting U.S. diplomats on the ground in Baghdad on May 7, when the company's contract for that specific job expires and a new security provider, Triple Canopy, takes over. Last February, Blackwater changed its name to Xe _ pronounced ZEE _ in a bid to leave the stigma of the Nisoor Square shooting behind.
State Department officials told The Associated Press that the company will remain in some areas of southern Iraq into the summer and that its aviation service, Presidential Airways, will provide air security for U.S. diplomatic convoys into September.
Jabir said he plans to travel to the United States if the manslaughter charges against five former Backwater guards proceed.
In February, a federal judge denied two motions to dismiss the case against the five men accused in the 2007 shootings. The five argue they are not subject to U.S. civilian criminal laws because they were working overseas under a contract with the State Department to help provide security for diplomats.
"A case is proceeding in America, but I'm surprised our own government had not paid attention to the pain of the victims," Jabir said.
Samir Hobi, a teacher wounded in the shooting, insisted that Iraqi authorities should seek direct compensation from the company.
"No one is asking for our rights," he said. "The government doesn't care about us. This case no longer interests them."
Sami Hawas Hamoud al-Iz, a vendor who was shot in the leg, also demanded that the company face trial in Iraq.
"They should be punished," he said. "We pray to God that they will not escape justice."
(This version CORRECTS that the Iraqi government spokesman said another unnamed company, not Blackwater, could serve in a stopgap air protection role.)
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
0 users recommend
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: World
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Insurers eye new regulatorAP - 35 minutes ago
4 go on trial in foiled German terror plotAP - 39 minutes ago
Report links CIA to military harsh interrogationsAP - 39 minutes ago
Analysis: Interrogation debate testing White HouseAP - 41 minutes ago
UK-World SummaryReuters - 50 minutes ago
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Robust profits mask problems in bank sector
Warming pushes birds to migrate farther
'Silent' heart attacks go unnoticed: study
Physicist Stephen Hawking 'very ill': university
Police nab Norwegian pair during high-speed sex
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Wednesday, 22 April 2009 U.S. nudges Israel on Palestinian state
UN warns of new highs for Afghan drug production
Iraq: No long-term role for ex-Blackwater units
South Africa votes with ANC set to sweep polls
Federal judge hears challenge to Iraq war
Britain to unveil crunch 2009 budget
Spring is here, violence is down: Time to marry
New York touts climate-saving plan to lock away CO2
Iran says U.S.-Iranian reporter appeals jail term
Charred meat linked to pancreatic cancer risk
Israel marks Holocaust seething over Iran
Spanish female mountaineer bids for 12th top peak
French police round up 200 migrants in Calais
Global financial crisis to cost $4 trillion: IMF
Iran warns Israel not to attack nuclear sites
Fraud probes dog US bank bailout
German economic indicator turns positive
High cost of addressing climate change challenged
Pelosi vows climate bill this year
Fidel Castro dampens hopes for better US-Cuba ties
Top US officials shaped 'torture' policy: report
Bush-era officials could face trial
India adds record 15.6 million mobile users in March
NBA highlights go mobile via Score Media iPhone app
CIA kidnap trial to resume in Italy
Obama, McCain Web campaign chiefs face off
Some cities make gains in curbing dropouts
U.S. to create cybersecurity military command: report
Prosecution rests in trial of deputy US marshal
Google lets people influence searches on their names
Yahoo's feeble 1Q triggers nearly 700 more layoffs
Oracle embarks on Sun courtship, troops cheer
British police release Pakistani terror suspects
reports sagging profit and job cuts
Graduation rate breakdown by city
Africa's first ladies urge education, health care
More red ink: Times Co. posts $74.5 mln loss
French police swoop on 200 Calais migrants
Fla. county declares emergency over economy
Belgians develop cuddly robot to help sick children
Cisco offering computing cloud protection
SKorean serial killer sentenced to death
Maoists take 300 hostage on India train
New Japan mission to hunt minke whales
Depeche Mode to hold free concert in Hollywood
X-Men's Jackman leaves prints in 'Walk of Fame'
Japan to inject funds into ailing companies
Lawmaker: Pakistani Taliban spread from Swat
Hugh Jackman sinks hands into Hollywood history
S.Korea fin min: not time yet to reduce liquidity
Australia intercepts new refugee boat
Bale, Wahlberg get in the ring for 'Fighter' movie
Aegon to sell Taiwan unit for 65 mln euros
Maoists hijack Indian train
Hollywood eyes more 'Da Vinci Code' dollar signs
HCL Technologies profit down by half on forex loss
Suspected rebels hijack train in India before vote
India's Wipro says 4Q profit up 4 percent
SKorean ex-president 'a prisoner of the press'
Japan's exports dive 46 percent in March
Taliban move to expand control in NW Pakistan
Icelanders' belts tighten but solidarity soars
China labour disputes rise as economy slows
Swat Taliban head into nearby Pakistani district
Mobile service Flo TV nabs Amanda Congdon series
Thai auto sales down almost 38 pct: industry
Study details positive economic impact of showbiz
Tribeca Film Fest bows amid turbulent times
Japan's export slump eases, fanning recovery hopes
Cowell says he'd jump ship if "Idol" sinks
Nomura plans to set up S.Korea fund management JV
Warner Bros. No. 1 at U.S. box office for year so far
Harris, Winstone cast in Ian Dury biopic
Court denies Blagojevich travel request for TV show
"Calendar Girls" remains a crowd-pleaser onstage
Depeche Mode to hold free concert in Hollywood
Indonesian president denies overseeing poll fraud
South Africans vote in toughest test for ANC
| International
|
Iran wants 'constructive' talks on nuclear program
Sri Lankan war in endgame, 95,000 escape rebel zone
| International
|
Israel denies violating international law in Gaza
Iran says ready for talks, won't halt nuclear work
| International
|
Iran says ready for talks
Afghan Taliban say claim of talks is propaganda
| International
|
Egypt intel chief in Israel for talks with govt
Fertility doctor on brink of cloning human: report
Two Koreas square off over arms trade and border
| International
|
Crisis pounds auto giants as British economy tanks
Somali president advises against hitting pirate bases
| International
|
Global slowdown hits Volkswagen hard
India Maoists briefly hijack train ahead of poll day
| International
|
Ahmadinejad condemns Israel again after UN walk-out
| International
|
Fears grow for civilians in Sri Lanka conflict
House climate hearings put Obama team on hot seat
FEMA nominee promises to improve agency response
Zimbabwe's state media taunts US ambassador
Letter defends US reporter jailed in Iran
Sierra Leone sends 3 to US to face drug charges
Mixed earnings reports weigh Wall Street
White House cars fuel-efficient but not waterproof
Erie officer: Videotaped remarks were embellished
Israel razes Palestinian house in East Jerusalem
| International
|
Prosecutors say teen pirate was brazen ringleader
History overshadows hope on Turkey's Armenian border
| International
|
AP NewsAlert
Ex-Columbia prof in noose case sues for $200M
Yahoo to cut 5 percent of jobs
| Technology
|
Lockheed says F-35 classified data not breached
| Technology
|
India adds record 15.6 million mobile users in March
| Technology
|
German cabinet backs new law against child porn
| Technology
|
Belgians develop cuddly robot to help sick children
| Technology
|
U.S. to create cybersecurity military command: report
| Technology
|
Khmer Rouge defendant: Pol Pot feigned ignorance
EU assembly adopts new price curbs on phone calls
| Technology
|
Japan on top in AFC Champions League
Cisco offers security for cloud computing
| Technology
|
K.Rouge prison chief says he was duped by UN
Music website MUZU signs Universal deal
| Technology
|
Afghanistan: Top US military officer honors troops
EU states, lawmakers on Internet collision course
| Technology
|
Tibet tourism recovering after last year's riots
Filipino governor orders Red Cross hostage rescued
Former Macau minister gets 28 years for corruption
N.Korea has world's largest artillery force: US
China to invest $9.5B to help farmers amid slump
Tourists returning to Tibet despite heavy security
IMF: Asia could see 'modest recovery' in 2010
Deep blue lakes become Afghanistan's first park
IMF says Asia could see 'modest recovery' in 2010
Taiwan's jobless rate hits record high of 5.8 pct
China automakers still stretching to expand abroad
Taiwan's Asustek plans T$2/shr cash div, 0.2 pct stock div
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Pakistani 6-mth T-bill cut-off yield at 13.0737
Audrey Tautou leads Chanel screen blitz
ILO: unemployment, social crisis looms in Asia
Royal opera recruits Domingo to ride out recession
Vietnam inflation cools to 9.2 percent in April
Audrey Tautou leads Chanel screen blitz
| Entertainment
|
"State of Play" premieres in London
India's Wipro reports rise in profit
Cowell says he'd jump ship if Idol sinks
| Entertainment
|
Damien Hirst opens largest show in Kiev
Indian police clear Slumdog child star's father
| Entertainment
|
Hugh Jackman sinks hands into Hollywood history
| Entertainment
|
Royal opera recruits Domingo to ride out recession
| Entertainment
|
Richie Havens concert to mark Woodstock anniversary
| Entertainment
|
Lollapalooza Festival unveils 2009 lineup
| Entertainment
|
Director Ron Howard defends Angels & Demons
| Entertainment
|
Mobile service Flo TV nabs Amanda Congdon series
| Entertainment
|
Warner Bros. No. 1 at U.S. box office for year so far
| Entertainment
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights