September 26, 2007

DOD Team To Investigate Security Contractors

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered a Pentagon investigation of security contractors in Iraq after a deadly gunfight involving Blackwater employees raised questions about oversight of foreign contractors in Iraq.

AP reports that in a briefing today, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the initial round of answers to Gates' questions about the military's relationship with private contractors has "not been satisfactory" and that he is seeking a deeper probe into the matter.

Although he would not elaborate on the specifics of Gates' dissatisfaction with the investigation thus far, Morrell did say that a five-person team has already been sent to Iraq and "will talk to all the key players" there, including top U.S. commanders Gen. David Petraeus and Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno. The team is expected to report back to Gates by the end of the week.

The State Department, meanwhile, is conducting its own review of security procedures for U.S. diplomats in response to the Blackwater incident, which involved a U.S. Embassy convoy in Baghdad. The "full and complete review" was ordered by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who has since come under fire for allegedly impeding yet another review of private military contractors being conducted by the House.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., sent Rice a letter [PDF] yesterday, accusing her of interfering with the committee's efforts by requesting that Blackwater not provide documents related to its activities in Iraq without department approval. Waxman also criticizes Rice for refusing to testify at any hearings the panel might hold on the Blackwater incident and other subjects related to the political situation in Iraq.

On his congressional Web site, Waxman has posted a letter [PDF] sent by the State Department to Blackwater officials outlining its position on the matter, as well as other documents pertaining to the case.

CongressDaily has more on the feud between House investigators and the State Department. And GovExec.com reports on the Senate's efforts to probe problems with wartime contracting.

Posted at 1:28 PM
Posted to: Bush Administration, Condoleezza Rice, House, Iraq, Middle East, Military, Robert Gates
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