American contractors' role in Chalabi raid revealed (DynCorp)

The Age ^ | May 31, 2004 | Scott Shane

[Tailgunner Joe]

When Iraqi police raided the Baghdad home and offices of politician Ahmed Chalabi on May 20, US officials hurried to distance themselves from the operation, saying it was an Iraqi affair and that no US Government employees were involved.

But eight armed American contractors paid by a US State Department program went on the raid, directing and encouraging the Iraqi policemen who, witnesses say, ripped out computers, turned over furniture and smashed photographs.

Some of the Americans helped themselves to baklava, apples and diet soda from Mr Chalabi's refrigerator, sitting in a garden outside to enjoy their looted snacks, according to members of Mr Chalabi's staff.

[Tailgunner Joe]

The contractors work for DynCorp, a subsidiary of Computer Sciences Corporation and the company in charge of training and advising the Iraqi police on a State Department contract. A State Department official confirmed the DynCorp workers' presence during the raid.

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"Who is in charge of the Dyn-Corp employees?" asked Deborah Avant, a political scientist at George Washington University who is completing a book on security contractors. "Is it the Iraqi interior minister (who controls the police)? Is it the Coalition Provisional Authority? Is it the State Department, and who in the State Department? That un-clarity can lead to unprofessional behavior and worse."

A spokesman for the Coalition Provisional Authority said after the raid that the contractors "work for the (Iraqi) Ministry of the Interior" and were there "to observe and advise the Iraqi police during this operation, as they do on numerous operations." - SOURCE

[eno_]

Wanna bet these are ex LEOs out on a highly paid fling in a place without rules?

Further, wanna bet the State Department is coloring way outside the lines?

[Cicero]

Interesting article, "DynCorp Disgrace," from a couple of years ago:

http://www.insightmag.com/main.cfm/include/detail/storyid/163052.html

This doesn't raise my confidence in the uprightness of the Chalabi fiasco. I still think they are covering up for the perps in the Oil for Food Scandal.

[Batrachian]

I've had dealings with DynCorp myself. They didn't raid my house or anything, but I certainly don't remember them with any sort of pleasure. Their specialty is bilking the military out of money on government contracts.

Having said that, I don't know anything about the specifics of this case.

[Iscool]

You can't blame a guy for not passing up a piece of baklava...That's some good stuff...

[elhombrelibre]

What has this world come to when eating a piece someone else's baklava has to be put into a story to suggest an injustice has been done? I sure hope they didn't steal any chewing gum while they were there.

[atomicpossum]

Some of the Americans helped themselves to baklava, apples and diet soda from Mr Chalabi's refrigerator, sitting in a garden outside to enjoy their looted snacks, according to members of Mr Chalabi's staff.

Oh, when will these atrocities end?!?!?? Rumsfeld must resign!

[CWOJackson]

What shameless war crimes...pilfering diet soda!

[FReepaholic]

>>...What has this world come to when eating a piece someone else's baklava has to be put into a story to suggest an injustice has been done? I sure hope they didn't steal any chewing gum while they were there...<<

Or take a poop in thier toilet. (do Iraqis have toilets?)

[JasonC]

CIA. Are we supposed to be stupid?