Bill would boot security contractors from Mideast

[babylonsister]

Bill would boot security contractors from Mideast
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, November 9, 2007


WASHINGTON — A group of Democratic lawmakers wants all contractors working as bodyguards for U.S. diplomats out of Iraq and Afghanistan in the next six months, saying that job is best left to military professionals.

Legislation proposed by the representatives would also phase out the use of all private security contractors by U.S. agencies in combat zones worldwide by 2009, and require more accurate reporting on the number of contractors employed and killed in those conflicts.

“Numerous military officers in the field have said these armed contractors operate like cowboys, using unnecessary and excessive force which results in deadly incidents,” Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., lead sponsor of the bill, told reporters Wednesday.

“We’re saying enough is enough. It’s time to break the Bush administration’s addiction to contractors.”

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http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50142