8 private security firms banned in Afghanistan

CNN International ^ | October 3, 2010 | CNN Wire Staff

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Afghanistan has banned eight private security firms, including the company formerly known as Blackwater, a spokesman for President Hamid Karzai told reporters Sunday.

Among the companies whose operations are being dissolved are Xe (formerly known as Blackwater), NCL, FHI, White Eagles and other small companies, spokesman Waheed Omer said. Both international and domestic companies were affected.

Weapons and ammunition belonging to these companies has been seized, he said.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Karzai deserves exactly what's coming to him in the future...

[Palter]

His choice, they are a sovereign country.

No tears for Xe, they will be fine.

[Celtic Cross]

"Weapons and ammunition belonging to these companies has been seized, he said."

What right have they to seize privately owned armaments?

[Smokin' Joe]

It’s their country. The US does the same thing for most anything heavier than a deer rifle.

[HIDEK6]

I think if you’re trying to seize armaments, you’re not worring about anything except brute force.

[fireforeffect]

1. This is CNN. Has this story been confirmed by a reliable source?

2. In Afghanistan, this kind of thing usually means your bribe was not big enough or you are in competition with a relative of the politician/gangster in question.

[elpadre]

It will be interesting to see just what private security companies are allowed to do business. In years gone by, in third world countries, it took sizable chunks of money given under the table to get contracts approved and signed, and it is probably no different today

[rockrr]

Were they contracting to the US government or private citizens? Fortunately they’ll have the calming influence of Øbongo to maintain order.../sarc

[Jack Black]

There is a great book on the private security contractors in Iraq called “Blood Makes the Grass Grow Green”. It’s a sad story of how five or six ex-service guys end up being killed in Iraq.

[Dogbert41]

While our troop are over there, this guy shouldn’t be allowed to fart without are permission.

[Dogbert41]

While our troop are over there, this guy shouldn’t be allowed to fart without our permission.

[Karliner]

I’m willing to bet most these folks got a heads up since many( not all) have contracts with the State Dept and other alphabet soup companies; puts quite a strain on or regs, boots on ground. I’m not completely pro-merc but not anti-merc with some of the work they do. JMHO here.

[swarthyguy]

Everyone loves to dump on Karzai.

Why do you wish him so.

He has been a good friend for 8 years until the Dems started badmouthing him, Biden before the election and continuing onwards.

Glad you agree with the Pakistanis on dumping Karzai.

And what type of enlightened non smoking individual that America could bond with would succeed him.