"The Iraqi government could still overturn its new decision, and the overall status of independent security contractors in Iraq remains unclear. Longtime observers said the matter is probably still under negotiation between the Iraqi and US governments"
What is with the DECEPTIVE HEADLINES, MSM?!!!
"Iraq says it will not renew Blackwater's security license" by Monte Morin, Los Angeles Times | January 30, 2009
BAGHDAD - Blackwater Worldwide, the security company accused of using excessive deadly force while protecting US diplomats in Baghdad, would be barred from work in Iraq under a decision by Baghdad officials to pull the firm's security license.
"We have been informed that Blackwater's private security company operating license will not be granted," a US Embassy official said yesterday. "We don't have specifics about dates. We are working with the government of Iraq and our contractors to address the implications of this decision."
The North Carolina company employs about 1,000 workers in Iraq to safeguard US State Department officials. But Blackwater security guards have been accused of being trigger-happy, most notably in a 2007 case in which they killed at least 17 Iraqis while protecting a US State Department motorcade....
The Iraqi government could still overturn its new decision, and the overall status of independent security contractors in Iraq remains unclear. Longtime observers said the matter is probably still under negotiation between the Iraqi and US governments. Anne E. Tyrrell, a Blackwater spokeswoman, said the company had yet to be officially informed of the decision....
--more--"Meanwhile, WHO would want to kill SUNNI POLITICIANS before an election?
See Occupation Iraq: Israel's IEDs and related links, readers, for WHO is RESPONSIBLE for the violence -- and keep that in mind as you read the Zionist War Daily's accounts!!
"Gunmen kill three candidates in attacks; Security tightens ahead of voting" by Brian Murphy, Associated Press | January 30, 2009
BAGHDAD - Gunmen apparently targeting political candidates staged attacks around Iraq yesterday, leaving at least three people dead as Iraqi forces began imposing a full-scale security clampdown in advance of voting for provincial council seats.
The level of violence around Iraq is significantly lower than in past years, but tomorrow's election is seen as an important test of Iraqi self-reliance as the US military turns over more authorities to local forces. Blanket security measures were scheduled to take effect beginning today, including closing Iraq's borders, ordering traffic bans across Baghdad and major cities and halting air traffic. Hundreds of women have been recruited to help search women voters after a rise in female suicide bombers last year.
I'm so sick of the "female suicider" lie. That's a threat to the world, huh -- more than out mass-murdering missiles and nuclear weapons? That's what "Al-CIA-Duh" is left with?
In Baghdad, a Sunni candidate, Omer Farooq al-Ani, was killed in a drive-by shooting as he stepped from his home in the western Amiriya neighborhood, said a police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Ani, a member of his neighborhood council, was running for the provincial seat under the biggest Sunni political group, the Islamic Iraq Party.
Northeast of Baghdad, another Sunni candidate was killed in a shooting ambush as he walked from a rally in Mandli in Diyala Province. The candidate, Abbas Farhan, was killed along with two others. In the northern city of Mosul, gunmen fired from a car and killed a candidate and former army officer, Hazim Salim, a member of the Unity List, a group of independent Sunni politicians.
Why am I getting the feeling these are GOVERNMENT DEATH SQUADS, folks?
CUI BONO?
FLASHBACK:
"String of bombs kills five Iraqi police; US ally killed in car in Baghdad" by Vanessa Gera, Associated Press | September 15, 2008
BAGHDAD - Also yesterday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki formed a committee to investigate the killing of four employees of the Iraqi television network Al-Sharqiya as they filmed an episode on the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began two weeks ago.
The Iraqi government has repeatedly accused Al-Sharqiya of bias, sensationalism and spreading anti-government propaganda. Owned by a former chief of radio and television for Saddam Hussein, the station is seen by many Shi'ites as pro-Sunni.
The employees of the station were abducted and killed Saturday in the northern city of Mosul. They included the head of the station's office in Mosul, two cameramen, and a driver.
Maliki's office said in a statement that he had ordered security forces "to chase down the perpetrators and bring them to justice for punishment."
We ALL KNOW WHY: It was one of Maliki's U.S.-sponsored and funded death squads that did it!!!!!
The US military is taking a sideline role in direct security for the elections, but plan to send heavy troop deployments into the streets during the voting.
For a rigged election?
See: Occupation Iraq: U.S.-Trained Politicians
A military spokesman, Major General David Perkins, said there is always the risk of attacks by groups "who see the progress of democracy as a threat to them" - a reference to insurgent groups such as Al Qaeda in Iraq that are weakened but still active.
PFFFFFFFFTTT!
In another possible flashpoint, Iraqi security forces detained three candidates loyal to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr following a rally in Baghdad. Sadr controls the powerful Mahdi Army militia and is desperate to maintain a strong hand.
"Detaining the candidates is a serious precedent," said a parliament member in the Sadrist bloc, Baha al-Araji.
Now I'm CONVINCED: Maliki's UNPOPULAR GOVERNMENT is KILLING SUNNIS and IMPRISONING SHI'ITE OPPONENETS for the RIGGED RESULTS!!!
--more--"
Btw, WHATEVER HAPPENED to that shoe-tossing hero, 'er, reporter?
Getting his ass beat and tortured in prison, isn't he, MSM?
