Blackwater replaced for Iraq security jobs

[The Straight Story]

Blackwater replaced for Iraq security jobs
By Matthew Lee, Associated Press April 2, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department said Wednesday it has signed the private U.S. security firm Triple Canopy to take over the protection of U.S. diplomats on the ground in Iraq from Blackwater Worldwide, now known as Xe.

Blackwater changed its name this year after it came under heavy criticism for its alleged role in a fatal gun battle in Iraq. The Iraqi government refused to renew the firm's license to operate in the country.

State spokesman Gordon Duguid said the department gave the job to Triple Canopy on Tuesday in light of a decision made in January not to renew Blackwater's contract.

"The department awarded Triple Canopy the ground task order for protective security details in Baghdad after a thorough evaluation of proposals from each company that had submitted bids," Duguid told reporters.

He said the transition between Triple Canopy and Xe would begin immediately, but Xe's contract does not expire until May.

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