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Blackwater working again in Iraq Blackwater working again in Iraq
(20 minutes later)
The US security firm Blackwater has resumed limited operations in the Iraqi capital Baghdad four days after a deadly shootout involving the company.The US security firm Blackwater has resumed limited operations in the Iraqi capital Baghdad four days after a deadly shootout involving the company.
The company provides security to all US state department employees in Iraq.The company provides security to all US state department employees in Iraq.
It had been ordered by the Iraqi government too halt operations while a joint US-Iraqi inquiry was held.It had been ordered by the Iraqi government too halt operations while a joint US-Iraqi inquiry was held.
But an Iraqi interior ministry investigation has found that Blackwater is "100% guilty" of the incident in which 11 Iraqi civilians were killed. A US embassy spokeswoman said the decision to allow Blackwater to resume work had been taken in consultation with the Iraqi government.
The spokeswoman, Mirembe Nantongo, said Blackwater operations would be limited to essential missions only outside Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone.
'Self-defence''Self-defence'
A US embassy spokeswoman in Baghdad said Blackwater operations would be limited to essential missions only outside Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone. A separate Iraqi interior ministry investigation has found that Blackwater was "100% guilty" of the incident in which 11 Iraqi civilians were killed.
The spokeswoman, Mirembe Nantongo, said the decision to resume limited Blackwater operations outside the Green Zone had been taken in consultation with the Iraqi government.
BLACKWATER USA FACTS Founded in 1997 by a former US Navy SealHeadquarters in North CarolinaOne of at least 28 private security companies in IraqEmploys 744 US citizens, 231 third-country nationals, and 12 Iraqis to protect US state department in IraqProvided protection for former CPA head Paul BremerFour employees killed by mob in Falluja in March 2004 Profile: Blackwater USA Anger in Iraq over shootingBLACKWATER USA FACTS Founded in 1997 by a former US Navy SealHeadquarters in North CarolinaOne of at least 28 private security companies in IraqEmploys 744 US citizens, 231 third-country nationals, and 12 Iraqis to protect US state department in IraqProvided protection for former CPA head Paul BremerFour employees killed by mob in Falluja in March 2004 Profile: Blackwater USA Anger in Iraq over shooting
Blackwater says its guards acted in self-defence, but this has been disputed by Iraqi eyewitnesses.Blackwater says its guards acted in self-defence, but this has been disputed by Iraqi eyewitnesses.
The interior ministry report, based on testimony from witnesses, concluded that Blackwater guards in Baghdad's Nisour Square started shooting after two mortar rounds landed nearby.The interior ministry report, based on testimony from witnesses, concluded that Blackwater guards in Baghdad's Nisour Square started shooting after two mortar rounds landed nearby.
"They started shooting randomly from four positions in the square, killing 11 civilians and injuring 12 other," said interior ministry spokesman Maj Gen Abdul-Karim Khalaf."They started shooting randomly from four positions in the square, killing 11 civilians and injuring 12 other," said interior ministry spokesman Maj Gen Abdul-Karim Khalaf.
"The first one who was killed was a driver who failed to stop and then his wife," Maj Gen Khalaf said."The first one who was killed was a driver who failed to stop and then his wife," Maj Gen Khalaf said.
The report also calls for the lifting of legal immunity for foreign security companies operating in Iraq.The report also calls for the lifting of legal immunity for foreign security companies operating in Iraq.
The US embassy said it would not comment on the Iraqi report while its own investigation is underway. The US embassy said it would not comment on the Iraqi report while its own investigation is under way.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has described the shooting as a "criminal act" and vowed not to tolerate it.Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has described the shooting as a "criminal act" and vowed not to tolerate it.