The Privatization of Military Occupation by Corporate Paramilitaries

[G_j]

(description by Camila Mejia of Iraq Veterans Against the War)

Mission Accomplished?


Jeremy Scahill: "What is essentially unfolding here is a downsized and rebranded occupation, Obama-style, that is going to necessitate a surge in private forces. The State Department is asking for MRAP vehicles, armored vehicles, for Black Hawk helicopters and for these paramilitary forces. So, yes, you can say that officially combat has ended, but in reality you’re continuing it through the back door by bringing in these paramilitary forces and classifying them as diplomatic security, which was Bush’s game from the very beginning."

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/8/19/headlines#1

[G_j]

1. As troops leave, U.S. to double contractors in Iraq

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4510615

As troops leave, U.S. to double contractors in Iraq


(Reuters) - With the United States drawing down troops in Iraq, the State Department plans to double the number of private security contractors it uses to ensure the safety of the huge civilian development effort, officials said on Thursday.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the plan would bring to some 7,000 the total security contractors employed by the government in Iraq, where since the 2003 U.S. invasion private security firms have often been accused of acting above the law.

Crowley said the U.S. military's plan to cut troop numbers to 50,000 by the end of August -- down from 176,000 at the peak of the deployment -- left a security gap contractors would have to fill.

"We will still have our own security needs to make sure that our diplomats and development experts are well protected," Crowley told a news briefing.



Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-50953120100819

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. The American people need to know HOW MUCH THIS COSTS every month

I suspect the cost of 'combat operations are over' will double in price.
Is it to much to ask to see the costs of privatization?........ I don't think so.
I want to know what the Iraqis are paying for, the military and the State Dept

Billions and billions I would guess.

[G_j]

6. they sure do!

but where to find such information?

[msongs]

2. the real financial rape of the US taxpayers is just beginning nt

[BeHereNow]

3. Unbelievable, isn't it?

I can't stand thinking about it anymore.
The fact that there is no real discussion about
the reality of what is transpiring is just too maddening.
Thanks for posting this G_j.
I find it disgusting that there are not many replies.
It is an issue that MATTERS, yet no one seems to care.
Or perhaps some of those in denial would have to
take another look at our current president and the fact that
things are not getting better, in fact they are getting FAR worse
where the wars are concerned.

BHN:spank:

[G_j]

4. discouraging, yes

like this thread I posted yesterday,

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8979698

Iraqi casualties March 2003 to...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Iraq_War

Source Iraqi casualties March 2003 to...

Iraq Family Health Survey 151,000 violent deaths.
June 2006

Lancet survey 601,027 violent deaths out of 654,965 excess deaths. June 2006

Opinion Research Business survey 1,033,000 violent deaths as a result of the conflict. August 2007

Associated Press 110,600 violent deaths
April 2009

Iraq Body Count 95,888 – 104,595 violent civilian deaths as a result of the conflict.
April 2010


~~ thanks for your reply BHN! :hi:

[TheKentuckian]

7. Great and important stuff and why there is little to celebrate regarding Iraq

[G_j]

10. & they are still lacking in the basic services they had

before the occupation.

[FlyByNight]

8. Still appalling

As long as there is oil beneath the Iraqi sands, there will be a US military presence. After all, we can't let that "embassy" go to waste, can we?

:puke:

[G_j]

9. the world's largest embassy

I believe..

[Octafish]

11. Empire's Architecture

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2577290

[G_j]

12. I hope they appreciate it, at least it's not a cultural center,

"Nevertheless, the nearly $600 million wasn’t enough for the embassy in Iraq. According to documentation provided to Congress by the State Department, an additional $144 million is needed for completion and the embassy may cost as much as $1 billion each year to operate."

[Starry Messenger]

13. k & r