Kerry And Casey Want Blackwater Out Of Iraq

[globalvillage]

Democratic Sens. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts and Robert P. Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania reiterated their call for the State Department to follow the recommendation of its own inspector general and stop using Blackwater Worldwide for private security services in Iraq.

The renewed push for ousting Blackwater comes after the release to Congress Wednesday of an inspector general’s report that says the Iraqi government might yank the security firm’s license to operate in Iraq.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/17/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4674863.shtml

The incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is urging the State Department to fire Blackwater Worldwide, State’s private security contractor in Iraq.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who will become committee chairman in January, said Wednesday that “the era of Blackwater must finally end.”

...

“It will benefit the incoming administration to have reassurance from the State Department that Blackwater’s contract should not be renewed,” Kerry said.

Should Rice not move against Blackwater, the matter will be left to her likely successor, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., who in February cosponsored legislation to ban the use of private security contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/12/defense_blackwater_121708/


edit for better link with letter from Kerry and Casey

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/12/kerry_casey_urge_state_departm.php