Independent, Bloomberg Estimate Most Contractors are Non-Combatants

Britain's left-wing Independent published an estimate that "put the number of private contractors working in Iraq at 160,000 from up to 300 separate companies." However, the article explains that only "about 50,000 were private security guards from companies such as Blackwater." In other words, less than one third of the contractors in Iraq are engaged in combat duties. The vast majority of contractors handle food, laundry, supplies, communications and other logistical functions. Bloomberg media put the figure even lower: 7,300 security contractors out of a told of 137,000 in Iraq. So next time you read that there are a hundred and some odd thousand "mercenary soldiers" in Iraq, set the record straight.

Waxman 'investigation' tracks trial lawyer allegations

Blackwater's report to a House panel on the killings of four of its men in Fallujah in 2004 says that the congressional committee's "investigation" is politically motivated and that it tracks with a lawsuit filed by a trial lawyer who stands to make millions of dollars from suing the company.

Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA, pictured) has led the hearings in response to a request from trial lawyer Daniel Callahan.

Bloomberg reports, "Blackwater officials, in their response yesterday to Waxman's accusations about the Fallujah incident, said there were 'striking similarities' between Waxman's report and a lawsuit filed against the company on behalf of the families of the four victims.

"The complaint and the Waxman report, for example, both accuse Blackwater of not using armored vehicles as a way to save costs. Waxman's report 'intentionally or not, tracks the litigation position,' Blackwater said.

"The report also noted a Dec. 13, 2006, letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in which an attorney for the families urged Congress to investigate allegations of cost cutting by 'extremely Republican companies' such as Blackwater."