Fatal shoot-out sparks Iraq inquiry

The Iraqi government has launched a review of all private security companies operating in Iraq in the aftermath of a shoot-out involving US security contractor Blackwater in which it believes innocent Iraqis were killed.

The Iraqi adminstation has said it will cancel Blackwater's licence after the incident in which security guards escorting US embassy officials are alleged to have shot at and killed eight Iraqi civilians.

The shooting has raised concerns over security cooperation between Iraq and the US, and fired the debate of the "outsourcing" of war to private contractors.

Speaking to Arabian Business, David Claridge, managing director of UK firm Janusian Security Risk Management, said: "I don't think the situation will significantly damage relations between the Iraqi and US governments."

However, he acknowledged the fact that the Iraqi cabinet must be seen to react to what it has called a "flagrant assault" against Iraqi citizens by Blackwater guards.

It has confirmed "the need to review the situation of foreign and local security companies working in Iraq, in accordance with Iraqi laws".

However, sources within the private security community in Iraq indicate that confusion reigns over whether or not Blackwater actually possesses a licence to operate in the country.

One source commented: "It is likely that Blackwater will continue to provide services in Iraq because the US needs them."

But, he noted, given Blackwater's behaviour in Iraq the recent incident "was an accident waiting to happen".

Blackwater claims its men were acting in response to an attack on the convoy they were guarding. But the company's guards have earned themselves a reputation for being arrogant, disrespectful and dangerous. They are heavily armed and are hated and feared by Iraqi civilians.

Iraq is host to around 250,000 foreign security contractors. Not only do they protect senior government figures, they are also responsible for training the Iraqi military and police. Many private companies and NGOs involved in the country's reconstruction have turned to them for support.

"The idea that the Iraqi government could kick out security companies is absurd," says Claridge, "without them the country would fall apart."

But their presence generates tension among critics who accuse them of operating like "private armies" outside of the rule of Iraqi law. This latest incident has given the government the opportunity to reform the immunity granted to private security guards by the Coalition Provisional Authority in 2003.

"This is a golden opportunity for the government of Iraq to radically review the CPA Order 17 and make the review part of the investigation process" said Iraq's national security advisor, Mouwafak Al Rubaie.

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