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Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq
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ShareApril 01, 2009 3:22 PM
ABC News' Kirit Radia reports:
The controversial private security firm Blackwater's contracts in Iraq have been replaced by Virginia-based Triple Canopy, the State Department said today.
"[On] March the 31st 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," State Department acting deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid said.
Duguid said the transition process will begin immediately and Blackwater, now rebranded as Xe (pronounced "Zee"), will leave Iraq once its contract expires in May. He could not provide the value and length of Triple Canopy's contract.
Earlier this year the Iraqi government expelled Blackwater in large part due to controversy surrounding the deadly September 2007 shooting in a crowded Baghdad traffic circle during which Blackwater guards allegedly killed several Iraqi civilians. Following the Iraqi decision to expel Blackwater, the State Department said it would not renew their contract.
Triple Canopy and a third Company, Dyncorp, have been providing similar security in Iraq, mainly in the north and south, for years while Blackwater mainly held contracts in Baghdad.
No replacement has yet been named for air assets including helicopters that Blackwater provided through its subsidiary Presidential Airways. Xe has been notified by the State Department that this contract will not be renewed given the Iraqi government's decision, Duguid said.
April 1, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (3)
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How could Hillary allow this to happen? Blackwater donated $25,000 to the Clinton Foundation!
Posted by: Another Shill for Hill | Apr 1, 2009 5:53:42 PM
I have read your article, I think very popular with this article.
Posted by: runescape gold | Apr 11, 2009 3:15:51 AM
Blackwater definitely made some mistakes in Iraq, but they are also a whipping boy for anti-war critics.
The history of this policy change has yet to be written. If a US diplomat or other HVT is killed in an ambush there, people could reasonably question the move.
All in all, this was expected. The last incident with Blackwater was the final straw...the Iraqis wanted them out.
Posted by: J House | Apr 18, 2009 11:18:31 PM
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