Security Contractors in Iraq

A PROFILE OF CONTRACTORS

Private security firms in Iraq: More than 100, including about 30 domestic companies.

Employees: From 30,000 to 48,000. About 10 per cent come from the US and other Western countries, about 30 per cent from non-Western countries and the rest from Iraq.

Serving: Diplomats, aid workers, journalists, reconstruction workers and others of the estimated 160,000 foreign civilians working in Iraq.

Origin: Most American security contractors come from the US military and are often former special operations forces with specialised skills in intelligence gathering, communications, evasive manoeuvres and small-arms combat operations.

Pay:  Iraqis with basic skills are paid several hundred US dollars a month; highly capable employees from countries such as India and Nepal earn between $US2000 ($2300) and $US3000 a month. Former special operations forces from the US, Britain, Australia and other Western countries can earn as much as $US18,000 a month.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/beware-of-the-protectors/2007/09/21/1189881777362.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap4

Tags: Iraq, Blackwater, Private Security

I find private security forces such as Blackwater one of the most distasteful elements of the Iraqi War.  The fact that they operate completely outside the confines of the law makes their existance even more intolerable.  The money that these firms receive is part of the excessive cost of this war.  Ken Burns said that WWII cost the US 3 trillion dollars in current money.  At that rate, Iraq has cost 25 pct as much.  Where did all the money go? 

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