US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last night ordered tougher oversight of private guards in Iraq, including tighter rules on the use of force, following deadly shootings involving US security contractor Blackwater.
The State Department said other measures included improved training and clearer rules of engagement, better co-ordination with the US military as well as cultural sensitivity training for guards and more Arabic speakers.
Sky Patrol: personnel from US private security company Blackwater aboard a helicopter in Baghdad. Photo: Patrick Baz/AFP/Getty Images
Ms Rice made the move following recommendations by a panel of experts she appointed to look into the work of private security contractors after the September 16 thshooting incident in Baghdad that killed at least 17 Iraqis and enraged Iraq's government.
"Our key finding is that prompt measures should be taken to strengthen coordination, oversight and accountability aspects of the State Department's security practices in Iraq in order to reduce the likelihood that future incidents will occur that adversely affect the overall mission in Iraq," said the report by the panel, led by department official Patrick Kennedy.
Iraqis have complained vociferously about the role of private security contractors in Iraq and US lawmakers have accused them of being trigger-happy and not accountable under either US or Iraqi law for their actions.
North Carolina-based Blackwater, which employs about 1,000 people in Iraq, has said its guards responded lawfully to a hostile threat.
Mr Kennedy told reporters there needed to be a better legal framework for contractors and the panel was unaware of any basis for holding non-US Defense Department contractors accountable under US law. "We want there to be legal clarity here," said Mr Kennedy.
Earlier this month, Ms Rice ordered cameras be installed on convoy vehicles run by Blackwater and that diplomatic security agents accompany them on all missions taking diplomats out of the international zone in Baghdad.
A senior diplomatic security official said the cameras had not yet been installed as they were still looking at the best equipment for the job but diplomatic agents were accompanying each mission.
Mr Kennedy said the State Department would adopt more specific rules on how and when force could be used by contractors. In addition, the department's contractors would more closely follow US military guidelines, which provided greater protections and safeguards.