Concern over Iraq security firms

There is growing concern about the role of private security firms operating in Iraq, a BBC report has revealed.
Some security personnel claim their lives are being put at risk as they are asked to do the work of regular forces.

The investigation, by Radio 4's File on 4 programme, came as two Britons - one a bodyguard - were killed in a Baghdad rocket attack on Monday.

International human rights judge Richard Goldstone called for the work of firms in Iraq to be regulated.

Mr Goldstone said no government should use private contractors to do the work of regular armies because of their lack of control and accountability.

'Criminal activity'

He said the situation in Iraq was "crying out" for international regulation.

"People are going to have to look at the ultimate responsibility of where the buck stops when these private companies get involved in criminal activity," he told File on 4.

Without evidence of large scale abuse, to have a clamour of legal remedies that would not be enforceable would not be a sensible way forward
Foreign Office Junior Minister Bill Rammell
The exact number of private security firms working in Iraq is not known, but estimates are that up to 10,000 people are involved - many of them former soldiers.

Security company Control Risks Group on Tuesday named the bodyguard who died in a rocket attack yards from the coalition headquarters in Baghdad as Mark Carman.

Mr Carman, 38 and a former British soldier, was part of a team providing security to UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff, the firm said.

The second Briton killed was named as Bob Morgan, 63, a civilian from Buckinghamshire who was advising on reconstruction of the Iraqi oil sector.

Mr Carman's former wife Sue said in a statement: "We are all devastated at the loss of Mark.

"We are trying to come to terms with the absence of my daughter's father and my friend."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Our sincere condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of both men."

A third Briton was also injured in the attack.

Speaking to File on 4, some security staff claimed they had been given inadequate equipment and had to work alongside inexperienced and poorly trained recruits.

One, from London-based firm Hart, said employees had to provide their own maps, and use basic radios with inadequate range for desert patrols.

We have had no problems with communications that have caused anything to go wrong at all
Lord Westbury, Hart
Hart's founder, Lord Westbury, admitted conditions were tough but said his firm would never jeopardise people's lives.

"You cannot guarantee in a new country with very poor infrastructure that your communications are going to be absolutely brilliant," he said.

"But we have had no problems with communications that have caused anything to go wrong at all."

Vetting procedures were also questioned after the discovery that one British company hired a former soldier with convictions for helping loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland.

Another company with a major contract in Iraq was found to have employed two South Africans linked to atrocities carried out under the apartheid regime.

Deaths 'shocking'

Foreign Office Junior Minister Bill Rammell said it was sometimes necessary to use private contractors.

"We're working with the security industry to develop best practice for uniformity of standards, but without evidence of large scale abuse to have a clamour of legal remedies that would not be enforceable would not be a sensible way forward for any government."

He added that any allegations of misconduct or inadequate training among security operations under contract to British authorities would be properly investigated.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the Britons' deaths on Monday were shocking and showed the risks civilians had to take in Iraq.

Twelve British civilians had now died in Iraq since July last year, the Foreign Office said.

From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3744571.stm