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There Are Now More US Paid Contractors than US Troops In Iraq

cx | 06.07.2007 16:43 | Analysis | Iraq

The Corporate Occupation Unveiled


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Contractors in Iraq

There are more U.S.-paid private contractors than there are American combat troops in Iraq.

Contractors: 180,000

U.S. troops: 160,000

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Nationality of contractors*

118,000 Iraqis

43,000 non-U.S. foreigners

21,000 Americans

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Top contractors

Company: Kulak Construction Co.

Description: Based in Turkey, supplies construction workers to U.S. bases

Total employees: 30,301

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Company: KBR

Description: Based in Houston, supplies logistics support to U.S. troops

Total employees: 15,336

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Company: Prime Projects International

Description: Based in Dubai, supplies labor for logistics support

Total employees: 10,560

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Company: L-3 Communications

Description: Based in New York, provides translators and other services

Total employees: 5,886

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Company: Gulf Catering Co.

Description: Based in Saudi Arabia, provides kitchen services to U.S. troops

Total employees: 4,002

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Company: 77 Construction

Description: Based in Irbil, Iraq, provides logistics support to troops

Total employees: 3,219

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Company: ECC

Description: Based in Burlingame, Calif, works on reconstruction projects

Total employees: 2,390

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Company: Serka Group

Description: Based in Turkey, supplies logistics support to U.S. bases

Total employees: 2,250

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Company: IPBD Ltd.

Description: Based in England, supplies labor, laundry services and other support

Total employees: 2,164

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Company: Daoud & Partners Co.

Description: Based in Amman, Jordan, supplies labor for logistics support

Total employees: 2,092

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Company: EOD Technology Inc

Description: Based in Lenoir City, Tenn., supplies security, explosives demolition and other services

Total employees: 1,913

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Note: Data are as of February, which is most current available.

*Approximate - numbers rounded

Sources: U.S. Central Command, Times reporting

cx

Comments

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Paid Contractor

06.07.2007 17:09

"A mercenary is a person who takes part in an armed conflict who is not a national of a Party to the conflict and "is motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by the desire for private gain and, in fact, is promised, by or on behalf of a Party to the conflict, material compensation substantially in excess of that promised or paid to combatants of similar ranks and functions in the armed forces of that Party."

I have nothing against whores and prostitutes, although nothing to do with them, they seem to do a fine job although a difficult and dangerous one. So given that I have no worse insults in the English language suitable to describe mercenaries. What could be lower than a killer who kills for pay ? At least pederasts keep their victims alive.

But 'Paid Contractor' ? I used to fix computers as a contractor and I was paid. Not very difficult or brave, but I never slaughtered anyone for money. These people are mercenaries, the scummiest of professions, and you shouldn't euphemise that. Hired hit men for the Mafia deserve more respect simply for targetting their killing. There is no-one alive today is of lower moral standing than a 'paid contractor' in Iraq. Maybe the politicians we elected who sent them there. Maybe.

Danny
- Homepage: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercenary


Missed the point

06.07.2007 19:27

A lot of these contractors are US based or have their 'parent comapnies' as US based companies.

They take the money (primarily) from the military for contracts such as 'laundry services' to 'reconstruction'. The US then strips the money out of Iraq to pay for 'occupation costs'.

Fixing a friggin PC on the estate round the corner hardly compares mate.

This is the whole cycle of capitalism that the war was supposed to encourage.

bad danny


Mercenaries, and their Apologists in Local Media

06.07.2007 20:02

The local paper here just loves hired hands! This article manages to wax lyrical about a mercenary in Iraq without actually using he word mercenary.

 http://xrl.us/2sg6 ( shortened Link to www.thisisplymouth.co.uk)
otherwise it's this -  http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=17744157&bustcache=&1183668549570#views

Article is entitled "When a Good Day at Work Means Coming Home Alive".

freeluncher
- Homepage: http://talkingliberties.wordpress.com/


my bad

07.07.2007 00:46

"A lot of these contractors are US based or have their 'parent comapnies' as US based companies."
That sentence underestimates the British sector. And the international mercenaries that flock there.

"Fixing a friggin PC on the estate round the corner hardly compares mate."
That was my point, why share the same job title with a geek like me when 'Hired Killer' has so much more street cred.

I'd like to point out two things. A relative of mine, or rather someone who married into my family, is a private 'security consultant' there. I've never met him and I hope I never do. And the self-proclaimed Vicar of Baghdad, Canon Andrew White, recently awarded a peace prize to his mercenary bodyguards. That's another funeral I hope to hear about but won't attend. When are Terry Waites CIA files due to be released anyway ? Fucking Christain militants.

Danny


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IM Coup ?

12.07.2007 16:04

Danny | 12.07.2007 16:24 | Indymedia
The last "middle feature" Browns Bombs has just been "disappeared", apparently without any discussion on the lists.

Sure, only me and dh had responed to that, but I am as proud of what I wrote there as on the other threads. If you are going to censure/censor me then please remove all my posts at once. You don't have to explain why to me, you obviously control this website now, but it seems obscene to let my other contributions stand when you disappear some of them without discussion.

I know this post will be hidden as 'it should be taken to the lists' but before you do that I'd like to see a link to the lists that explains why we can't blame the current government for the current wave or terrorist attacks when all the establishment groups are allowed to ?

If you can't, please remove all my posts visible under this name.

Danny

PS who are you 'independent' from ? I know three, maybe four Scottish IMCistas who are definately MI5. The proof of this is you are more self-censoring than the mainstream media who feel able to criticise Brown for his responsibility for the recent attacks.

IM5
- Homepage: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/07/375759.html


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