Iraq Contractors Face Growing Parallel War (funded by US in the Billions)

[rodeodance]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/15/AR2007061502602.html?nav=hcmodule

Iraq Contractors Face Growing Parallel War
As Security Work Increases, So Do Casualties

By Steve Fainaru
Washington Post Foreign Service
Saturday, June 16, 2007; Page A01

BAGHDAD -- Private security companies, funded by billions of dollars in U.S. military and State Department contracts, are fighting insurgents on a widening scale in Iraq, enduring daily attacks, returning fire and taking hundreds of casualties that have been underreported and sometimes concealed, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials and company representatives.

While the military has built up troops in an ongoing campaign to secure Baghdad, the security companies, out of public view, have been engaged in a parallel surge, boosting manpower, adding expensive armor and stepping up evasive action as attacks increase, the officials and company representatives said. One in seven supply convoys protected by private forces has come under attack this year, according to previously unreleased statistics; one security company reported nearly 300 "hostile actions" in the first four months.

[cliss]

1. I'm wondering how the two armies keep track

of each other. How are the Mercs dressed? Do they use walkie talkie's to stay in contact with the parallel armies? Wave flags to greet other in the enemy territory?

Or do they just recognize each other by their pale faces?

Wonder how the army troops feel about the mercs making around $400,000/year.