informant38
.

-
...But of these sophisms and elenchs of merchandise I skill not...
Milton, Areopagitica

Except he had found the
standing sea-rock that even this last
Temptation breaks on; quieter than death but lovelier; peace
that quiets the desire even of praising it.

Jeffers, Meditation On Saviors


-

1.8.04

It is all perfectly legal

After the US government, who is the biggest single military contributor to the occupation of Iraq? Not Britain - as official figures claim - but private military companies. Over 10,000 men and women perform various jobs under contract to the military in Iraq we have been told. Furthermore, official US government figures indicate that out of a total US$85bn allocated by the USA for military operations in the Middle East this year, over a third will go to private contractors. A reality check: this figure is greater than the defence budgets of most countries.

The transfer of jobs performed by the military to private companies has a long history and is justifiable. Governments have a duty to get value for their taxpayers' money and many support jobs, such as providing logistical back-up in the form of transport, catering or housing, is best left to the private sector. Furthermore, a great deal of the military expenditure in purchasing new weapons actually goes on maintenance and technological upgrades.
How does this work in Iraq? When the USA launched its invasion last March, its battleships included civilians, operating some of the world's most sophisticated weapons systems. Unmanned Predator drones, the Global Hawks, and the B-2 stealth bombers went into action with weapons not only maintained, but actually operated by civilians.
The private sector became even more deeply involved in the war's aftermath. A US company has the lucrative contract to train the new Iraqi army; another to recruit and train an Iraqi police force. And even the life of the USA's chief civilian administration in Iraq, Paul Bremer, is usually protected by a private company, rather than conventional US troops.
Jane's 09.Jun.04

Blog Archive