Who Could Have Imagined?
The outsourcing of government functions to companies who have frequently been awarded no-bid contracts is beginning to show some rather interesting returns. Inspector Generals for several agencies have suggested that some of these companies are over-charging the US and underperforming. Some, such as Blackwater, are causing a different kind of problem: they are accused of murderous and uncontrolled behavior. The Secretary of Defense (unlike the Secretary of State) has decided to look into the problem, according to an article in today's Los Angeles Times.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has ordered U.S. military commanders in Iraq to crack down on any abuses they uncover by private security contractors in the aftermath of a deadly shooting involving American guards that infuriated Iraqis.
Gates took the step after concluding that the thousands of heavily armed private guards in Iraq who work for the Pentagon may not be adequately supervised by military officers. ...
Gates' order contrasts with the reaction of State Department officials, who have been slow to acknowledge any potential failings in their oversight of Blackwater USA, the private security firm that protects U.S. diplomats in Iraq and was involved in a Sept. 16 shooting that left at least 11 Iraqis dead. [Emphasis added]
Why the sudden interest by the Defense Department in how a key private contractor is performing? Well, unlike the State Department, Defense is seeking another off-budget appropriation for next year in Iraq.
Facing questions about private security contractors during a Senate hearing Wednesday, Gates said his primary concern centered on whether Defense Department officials had been keeping a close enough eye on operations. "I think that we have the proper procedures, the proper rules and the proper legal authorities in order to prosecute contractors who violate the law," Gates said. "My concern is whether there has been sufficient accountability and oversight in the region over the activities of these security companies." ...
Gates' testimony came during a sometimes-chaotic hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which must consider a $189.3-billion request to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008. [Emphasis added]
Accountability and oversight: what interesting concepts, especially when budgetary matters are being held at bay following what looks like an open massacre.
How surprising.
I mean, who could have imagined?
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has ordered U.S. military commanders in Iraq to crack down on any abuses they uncover by private security contractors in the aftermath of a deadly shooting involving American guards that infuriated Iraqis.
Gates took the step after concluding that the thousands of heavily armed private guards in Iraq who work for the Pentagon may not be adequately supervised by military officers. ...
Gates' order contrasts with the reaction of State Department officials, who have been slow to acknowledge any potential failings in their oversight of Blackwater USA, the private security firm that protects U.S. diplomats in Iraq and was involved in a Sept. 16 shooting that left at least 11 Iraqis dead. [Emphasis added]
Why the sudden interest by the Defense Department in how a key private contractor is performing? Well, unlike the State Department, Defense is seeking another off-budget appropriation for next year in Iraq.
Facing questions about private security contractors during a Senate hearing Wednesday, Gates said his primary concern centered on whether Defense Department officials had been keeping a close enough eye on operations. "I think that we have the proper procedures, the proper rules and the proper legal authorities in order to prosecute contractors who violate the law," Gates said. "My concern is whether there has been sufficient accountability and oversight in the region over the activities of these security companies." ...
Gates' testimony came during a sometimes-chaotic hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which must consider a $189.3-billion request to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008. [Emphasis added]
Accountability and oversight: what interesting concepts, especially when budgetary matters are being held at bay following what looks like an open massacre.
How surprising.
I mean, who could have imagined?
Labels: Government Contractors, Iraq War, Well Duh
posted by Diane at 3:27 AM
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