*NEW* Clinton Cosponsors Legis to Ban Use of Priv. Sec. Contr. in Iraq & Afgh. Obama: NOT R/O

[rodeodance]

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/02/29/obama-present-on-continued-use-of-blackwater/


Obama Present on Continued Use of Blackwater

By Alegre on February 29, 2008 at 4:33 PM

An article in the current issue of The Nation discusses comments from a senior foreign policy advisor to Sen. Obama, in which they make clear BO’s refusal to rule out continued use of private security forces such as Blackwater.

…………..

In other words – they can literally get away with murder (and they have) and BO is keeping open his options when it comes to using them on the ground in Iraq. Maybe that’s why he says he’ll bring our combat troops home but he refuses to declare he will end the occupation entirely.

Make the jump – you know you want to…

A senior foreign policy adviser to leading Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has told The Nation that if elected Obama will not “rule out” using private security companies like Blackwater Worldwide in Iraq. The adviser also said that Obama does not plan to sign on to legislation that seeks to ban the use of these forces in US war zones by January 2009, when a new President will be sworn in.

Obama’s broader Iraq withdrawal plan provides for some US troops to remain in Iraq - how many his advisors won’t say. But it’s clear that Obama’s “Follow-on force” will include a robust security force to protect US personnel in Iraq…

Contrast this with something Hillary’s Senate office put out earlier today…

Senator Clinton Cosponsors Legislation to Ban Use of Private Security Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan

Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton announced today that she has cosponsored legislation to ban the use of Blackwater and other private mercenary firms in Iraq.

“From this war’s very beginning, this administration has permitted thousands of heavily-armed military contractors to march through Iraq without any law or court to rein them in or hold them accountable. These private security contractors have been reckless and have compromised our mission in Iraq. The time to show these contractors the door is long past due. We need to stop filling the coffers of contractors in Iraq, and make sure that armed personnel in Iraq are fully accountable to the U.S. government and follow the chain of command,” said Senator Clinton.

The legislation requires that all personnel at any U.S. diplomatic or consular mission in Iraq be provided security services only by Federal Government Personnel. It also includes a whistleblower clause to protect contract personnel who uncover contract violations, criminal actions, or human rights abuses.

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=293878&&



February 28, 2008

Senator Clinton Cosponsors Legislation to Ban Use of Private Security Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan…….