US challenges Karzai on security firms

Private security firms, competing for contracts
worth billions of dollars, have long been regarded
as a major irritant by Afghans.


Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=138233§ionid=3510203


The Pentagon has played down Afghan President Hamid Karzai's call to shut down foreign private security firms operating in his country.

Pentagon Spokesman Colonel David Lapan said Tuesday that even though Washington acknowledges that there are problems with the firms, the issue must be addressed in a way that also meets US security requirements.

"There are security needs that we have, that our forces have … so we want to make sure that we are addressing the Afghan government's concerns but meeting our requirements as well," said Lapan, quoted by AFP.

This follows an earlier statement by Karzai's office that his government is "serious" about getting rid of foreign private security firms.

The statement added that the issue had been discussed with NATO leaders over the past few days and a deadline would soon be set for the withdrawal of such companies.

Private security companies, competing for contracts worth billions of dollars, have long been regarded as a major irritant by Afghans following a series of scandals involving the killing of civilians.

Reports say that these companies have deployed an estimated 40,000 armed personnel throughout Afghanistan -- most of whom work for Western enterprises.

Most Afghans see these private firms as accumulators of wealth and power with no interest in the security for Afghanistan. They are also widely reported to be overbearing and abusive, notably on the country's roads.