This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7788641.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Blackwater 'could lose Iraq role' | Blackwater 'could lose Iraq role' |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| Blackwater could lose its licence to operate in Iraq, rendering it unable to provide security for US diplomats, a US State Department internal report says. | |
| The report, commissioned by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said the department should look for other ways to protect diplomats, US media said. | The report, commissioned by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said the department should look for other ways to protect diplomats, US media said. |
| Ms Rice ordered a review of the use of private security firms after Blackwater guards killed 17 Iraqi civilians. | Ms Rice ordered a review of the use of private security firms after Blackwater guards killed 17 Iraqi civilians. |
| Five guards have been charged with manslaughter over the shootings. | Five guards have been charged with manslaughter over the shootings. |
| The incident triggered outrage in Iraq and led to a debate about the role there of private security companies - upon which the US relies heavily. | The incident triggered outrage in Iraq and led to a debate about the role there of private security companies - upon which the US relies heavily. |
| Earlier, the Associated Press news agency reported that the report recommended against renewing Blackwater's contract, citing an official linked to the report. | Earlier, the Associated Press news agency reported that the report recommended against renewing Blackwater's contract, citing an official linked to the report. |
| But that specific recommendation was not included in the report itself, AP said later. A recommendation would not be made until the investigation into the civilian shootings was complete, it quoted the same official as saying. | But that specific recommendation was not included in the report itself, AP said later. A recommendation would not be made until the investigation into the civilian shootings was complete, it quoted the same official as saying. |
| Scrutiny | Scrutiny |
| Based in North Carolina, Blackwater was one of the first private security firms to work in Iraq following the US-led takeover. | Based in North Carolina, Blackwater was one of the first private security firms to work in Iraq following the US-led takeover. |
| It provides guards and security for American and other diplomats in the country. | It provides guards and security for American and other diplomats in the country. |
| But the company has been under intense scrutiny since its guards opened fire at a busy Baghdad intersection in September 2007, killing 17 Iraqi civilians. | But the company has been under intense scrutiny since its guards opened fire at a busy Baghdad intersection in September 2007, killing 17 Iraqi civilians. |
| Blackwater says the guards' convoy came under attack from insurgents. | Blackwater says the guards' convoy came under attack from insurgents. |
| Five of its employees have now been charged in the US with manslaughter and other offences, but the company itself has not faced charges. | Five of its employees have now been charged in the US with manslaughter and other offences, but the company itself has not faced charges. |
| Blackwater's contract with the US government comes up for renewal early next year - so the decision on whether to renew it will be taken by US President-elect Barack Obama's administration. | Blackwater's contract with the US government comes up for renewal early next year - so the decision on whether to renew it will be taken by US President-elect Barack Obama's administration. |
| It is not clear how the US might replace Blackwater. | It is not clear how the US might replace Blackwater. |
| But the report recommended that the State Department increased the presence of its Diplomatic Security Service in Iraq, AP said. | But the report recommended that the State Department increased the presence of its Diplomatic Security Service in Iraq, AP said. |