KOS: Iraq, US losing patience with mercenaries

by kos
Sun Jun 12th, 2005 at 07:04:26 PDT

Apparently Iraq and the Pentagon hate America, since they're seeking curbs on mercenary activity in Iraq.

Soldiers have for some time been angered by the salaries earned by the estimated 20,000 armed contractors working in Iraq, many of whom are ex-servicemen.

It is common for them to earn £750 a day. They provide protection for senior government officials and reconstruction projects.

They are even more unpopular with Iraqis. Interior ministry officials say at least 12 Iraqi civilians are killed by contractors every week in the capital.

"Enough is enough," said an official at the interior ministry. "We are looking at ways to tighten weapons licenses, and to punish the worst cases. The culture of impunity must stop."

A senior member of one private security firm in Baghdad said: "Like it or not we are combatants. If our guarantees are removed, we would have to leave."

THIS is what the 101st Fighting Keyboardists are defending?