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Blackwater discussion from State Dept Press Brief 4/7
Verbatim exchange edited from Press Brief concerning the status of Blackwater personnel, currently contracted by teh State Depatment after 6/30.QUESTION: Adam, considering that come July 1, the State Department will assume responsibility for American presence in Iraq, now there is a private army or a mercenary army of anywhere between 10 to 15,000 people, according to reports. Are you structuring some sort of regulations where these guys have to abide by them? I have a follow-up on that. MR. ERELI: When we take over, when it goes to an embassy, the embassy will be accredited to the government of Iraq and it will be the job of the government of Iraq to determine how its country is policed and the terms under which citizens exercise their civic rights -- civil rights. So the issue of private militias is something, I think, that after July 30th is a -- QUESTION: No, Iâm not talking about private -- Iâm not talking about private militia. Iâm talking about a mercenary army, an American mercenary army that is drawn from former Rangers, former Navy Seals, former Green Berets and so on, Blackwater. I mean, last night it was on Nightline. They spoke to the guy that runs the operation. He says he has anywhere between 10 to 15,000 people providing security. MR. ERELI: I wouldnât call that a mercenary army. I would call -- QUESTION: Well, but theyâre saying that theyâre not abiding by any laws. MR. ERELI: Whoâs they? QUESTION: Well, these fellows. Theyâre -- MR. ERELI: Which fellows? QUESTION: The guys that belong to Blackwater and -- MR. ERELI: Are saying they donât abide by any laws? touche QUESTION: Well, apparently, they donât. They donât abide because the U.S. forces-- MR. ERELI: Iâm sorry, I canât get into a back and forth over something I havenât seen. I donât⊠QUESTION: Have you -- have you looked into that? MR. ERELI: Hereâs the point. Hereâs the point. After July 30th -- QUESTION: June 30th. MR. ERELI: June 30th, excuse me. After June 30th, there will be -- the American forces look forward to, I think, remaining in Iraq in cooperation with the Iraqi government to help the Iraqi government and people provide security and stability in that country. They will be operating in conjunction and cooperation and with the approval of the Iraqi authorities. And thatâs the kind of arrangement thatâs going to govern everybody operating in Iraq. And I kind of reject the suggestion that there are mercenary armies running around unchecked and out of control, at least that are Americans, in Iraq. QUESTION: They call them security contractors -- MR. ERELI: I reject it. Thank you. I applaud this thorough spanking as delivered to the anonymous reporter by Mr Ereli. [Holds lighter aloft. Thumbs striker to lite flame. Waves arm back and forth] Posted by: Super Hose 2004-04-08 |
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