U.S. Can Withhold Security Firm Data

[Robbien]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government can keep secret the names of private security contractors involved in serious shooting incidents in Iraq, a federal judge has ruled, rejecting a Freedom of Information Act request by the Los Angeles Times.

U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper in Los Angeles said Tuesday that she deferred to the judgment of Army officers who said the disclosure could "provide an advantage to insurgents" and aid them in targeting contractors who provide protection at job sites.

Since the U.S. invasion of Iraq nearly 3 1/2 years ago, the Pentagon has relied heavily on private contractors to carry out a variety of tasks, including efforts to rebuild the country. The companies in turn have relied on private security contractors to protect workers and supply lines, and to deter attacks on oil pipelines and the power grid.

The Defense Department said last year that at least 60 private security providers were working in Iraq with perhaps as many as 25,000 employees.

The effectiveness of private security contractors has been unclear. Many have been attacked, and some have been accused of recklessly using deadly force against Iraqi civilians.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-security27jul27,1,6709223.story?coll=la-news-a_section

[magellan]

1. Knowing the names could aid insurgents in targeting contractors, huh?

Do they honestly think any Iraqi who has a reason to be, shall we say, interested, doesn't already know who these firms are?

[leveymg]

2. Why not extend this to private NSA contractors and DoD contractors?

That way, they're all secure from investigation and prosecution.

[rodeodance]

3. don't give them any more ideas!