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/middle_east/7033048.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Blackwater 'killed 17', says Iraq | Blackwater 'killed 17', says Iraq |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Iraqi government says a shooting in Baghdad last month involving the US security firm, Blackwater, killed more people than previously thought. | The Iraqi government says a shooting in Baghdad last month involving the US security firm, Blackwater, killed more people than previously thought. |
| Originally it was said that 11 Iraqis had died but the government now says Blackwater guards killed 17 people. | Originally it was said that 11 Iraqis had died but the government now says Blackwater guards killed 17 people. |
| Iraqi investigators also said that the Blackwater men did not come under fire. | Iraqi investigators also said that the Blackwater men did not come under fire. |
| Blackwater has not responded to the latest allegations, but has disputed previous accusations that its staff were the first to open fire. | Blackwater has not responded to the latest allegations, but has disputed previous accusations that its staff were the first to open fire. |
| But an Iraqi government spokesman said that the actions of the Blackwater employees amounted to deliberate killing. | But an Iraqi government spokesman said that the actions of the Blackwater employees amounted to deliberate killing. |
| "The investigation committee appointed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki... has found that there was no evidence that the convoy of Blackwater came under fire directly or indirectly," spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said on Sunday. | "The investigation committee appointed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki... has found that there was no evidence that the convoy of Blackwater came under fire directly or indirectly," spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said on Sunday. |
| "It was not hit even by a stone," he added. | "It was not hit even by a stone," he added. |
| 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 Security firms in the dock | 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 Security firms in the dock |
| Mr al-Dabbagh said that the Iraqi cabinet would look at the investigative committee's recommendations and "take legal steps to hold the company to account." | Mr al-Dabbagh said that the Iraqi cabinet would look at the investigative committee's recommendations and "take legal steps to hold the company to account." |
| The report concludes that those involved should face trial. | |
| The committee found that 23 people had been wounded in the 16 September shooting, when Blackwater employees opened fire on civilians at al-Nisoor square in Baghdad. | |
| Blackwater's founder Erik Prince has insisted his firm's personnel acted in self-defence after insurgents attacked the US diplomatic convoy they were protecting. | Blackwater's founder Erik Prince has insisted his firm's personnel acted in self-defence after insurgents attacked the US diplomatic convoy they were protecting. |
| Blackwater is the main firm employed by the state department to provide security for its staff and visiting officials and businessmen. | Blackwater is the main firm employed by the state department to provide security for its staff and visiting officials and businessmen. |
| The US state department has handed its inquiry into the shooting over to the FBI. | The US state department has handed its inquiry into the shooting over to the FBI. |
| The BBC's Sarah Morris in Washington says that the question of outsourcing security contracts is a politically contentious one in the United States, as well as in Iraq itself. |