It applies to about 250 security contractors who worked for Blackwater in Iraq at the time of the incident, Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani told The Associated Press.
Some of the guards now work for other security firms in Iraq, while others work for a Blackwater subsidiary, al-Bolani said. He said all “concerned parties” were notified of the order three days ago and now have four days left before they must leave. He did not name the companies.
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Interesting development, and I am not too sure how they plan on finding these ‘250’ folks from that time period. It would take some highly unethical methods, and if you are a former BW guy over there, definitely watch yourself. On the up side, Iraq is winding down, and Afghanistan is the place to be these days.
What is most concerning with this, is where is the US government on this? It seems to me that the highly political persecution of the Blackwater Five, has increased now to the Blackwater 250. This list of 250 men served the US Government and put their lives on the line in the process. Some did not make it back alive, and others came back with missing limbs and other wounds. Where is the gratitude, thanks or support for what these men did during such a dangerous time in Iraq? Because to me, it is a crying shame that the government does not have the courage to stand up for those who definitely put it all on the line for them. Especially when most of these Blackwater 250 were US citizens and veterans of the war when they were in the military, or officers in law enforcement agencies.
As for legal action, I am just not sure how you could approach it. I don’t know if the non-disclosure agreements are a two way, and I wonder if any of the legal eagles out there have anything to say about this. I would like to think that companies would not succumb to this kind of deal, but if they did, is there any legal recourse? I am just thinking out loud and throwing some hypotheticals with this. Or maybe it isn’t worth the effort, and just move on. Stuff to think about and we will see how this goes. –Matt
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Iraq orders former Blackwater security guards out
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRAWednesday, February 10, 2010
BAGHDAD — Iraq has ordered hundreds of private security guards linked to Blackwater Worldwide to leave the country within seven days or face possible arrest on visa violations, the interior minister said Wednesday.
The order comes in the wake of a U.S. judge’s dismissal of criminal charges against five Blackwater guards who were accused in the September 2007 shooting deaths of 17 Iraqis in Baghdad.
It applies to about 250 security contractors who worked for Blackwater in Iraq at the time of the incident, Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani told The Associated Press.
Some of the guards now work for other security firms in Iraq, while others work for a Blackwater subsidiary, al-Bolani said. He said all “concerned parties” were notified of the order three days ago and now have four days left before they must leave. He did not name the companies.
Blackwater security contractors were protecting U.S. diplomats when the guards opened fire in Nisoor Square, a busy Baghdad intersection, on Sept. 16, 2007. Seventeen people were killed, including women and children, in a shooting that inflamed anti-American sentiment in Iraq.
