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For Immediate Release
June 13, 2006 |
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Shays Conducts Oversight of
Role of Private Security Firms in Iraq
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT),
Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging
Threats and International Relations, chaired a hearing today
to look at “Private Security Firms (PSF): Standards,
Cooperation and Coordination in the Battlefield.”
Shays has traveled to Iraq 12 times to conduct on the ground
oversight and has held over 90 hearings on issues related
to homeland security, terrorism and Iraq in the Subcommittee.
Shays’ hearing featured testimony from the following
witnesses: Mr. William M. Solis, Director, Defense Capabilities
and Management, Government Accountability Office; Mr. Greg
Starr, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Diplomatic
Security, Department of State; Mr. James Kundar, Assistant
Administrator for the Near East and Africa, U.S. Agency for
International Development; Mr. Chris Taylor, Vice President,
Blackwater USA; Major General Robert Rosenkranz (US Army,
Retired), President of International Technical Service, DynCorp
International; Mr. Ignacio Balderas, former CEO and current
Board of Directors Member, Triple Canopy; and Mr. Doug Brooks,
President, International Peace Operations Association.
Click here to read the GAO’s report on PSFs:
www.house.gov/shays/news/2006/june/GAO1.pdf
and click here to read the Subcommittee’s briefing memo
on the hearing: www.house.gov/shays/news/2006/june/PSFMemo.pdf.
The following is Shays opening statement:
“Last week the leader of al Qeada in Iraq Abu Masab
al-Zarqawi was killed in an air strike. His death is significant.
This man beheaded people. He had thousands murdered. He blew
up both churches and mosques. His goal was to prevent Iraqi
democracy. We congratulate the Iraqi people, and especially
our military forces and all others who participated in bringing
an end to his reign of terror.
“Although Zarqawi is eliminated, the difficult and
necessary mission in Iraq continues. Even with the appointments
of the Ministers of Defense and Interior and the increasing
role of Iraqi security forces we can expect terrorists and
insurgents to continue their efforts to prevent establishment
of a democratic government.
“Iraq is a complex operational space. Military forces,
civilian US government agencies, international organizations,
contractors, non-governmental organizations and a diverse
local population all share a common geographical area amidst
those who would do them great harm.
“It is difficult to distinguish friend from foe. Included
in this complex arena are private security firms.
“The Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimates
there are over 60 private security firms operating in Iraq,
employing approximately 25,000 personnel. Other estimates
indicate there may be as many as 180 firms employing close
to 50,000 people. These firms provide security for convoys,
personnel, both government and civilian, including visiting
delegations, bases, housing compounds and reconstruction projects.
“The nature of their job puts them in harm’s
way. The most publicized private security firm casualties
in Iraq came when four Blackwater employees were killed in
Fallujah and their bodies hung from a bridge, but there are
others.
“General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, said private security firms ‘…are doing
a great job for what they have been hired to do. But if they
choose right now to not report, to not let people know where
they’re going and they get into trouble, it is very
difficult to be able to respond to them.’
“Today we ask:
“What are the evolving roles and missions of private
security firms operating in Iraq?
“What standards and capabilities are private security
firms required to have before being hired by our government?
“And, to what extent do private security firms coordinate
with the US military and other government agencies operating
in Iraq?
“The mission in Iraq is far from complete. Only time
will tell the impact of al-Zarqawi’s death. Iraqi ministers
are in place. And Iraqi security forces are becoming more
and more effective. As these forces take control, private
security firms are presented with a new dimension—the
coordination with not only Coalition forces but with Iraqi
forces as well.
“We thank all the witnesses for taking the time to
appear before us today, and thank them all for their efforts
to bring peace and stability to Iraq.”
Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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