Kabul backs off private contractor ban

[IDemo]

Source: rawstory.com


By Agence France-Presse
Sunday, October 17th, 2010 -- 11:09 am

KABUL — The Afghan government Sunday rolled back its plan to disband all private security firms, declaring that those protecting embassies and military bases could maintain those operations in the country.

President Hamid Karzai's office said firms "providing security for embassies, transport of diplomats, diplomatic residences, international forces' bases and depots can continue operation within these limits".

Karzai in August ordered that all private security contractors operating in the country, both Afghan and international, must cease operations by January 1, 2011.

The decree led to widespread concern that the deadline was too tight to find alternatives amid a deteriorating security situation, and fears that some diplomats and private companies would be forced to leave Afghanistan.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/10/kabul-backs-off-contractor-ban/

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Note - there was no pressure from Washington behind this sudden change by Karzai. None whatsoever. Nope.

[applegrove]

1. Karzai can still make money off the 'Local firms' who now have to step in and fill

the void. Which is why he did it. IMHO. More graft for him!!!

[AzNick]

2. Wait and see them reversing the ban once our troops move out

The country will be divided between Blackwateristan and Talibanistan.