[Private Security Company's impact on Iraq]

by

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “Private Security Companies” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Private Security Companies in Iraq” and its relation with “Impact of Private Security Companies on the people and Economy of Iraq”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “Private Security Companies” and tries to gauge its effect on “Iraq”. Finally the research describes the methodologies of the research

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Rationale1

Problem Statement2

Purpose of the Study2

Aims and objectives2

Theoretical framework3

Research questions3

Ethical Concerns3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Security Companies Working In Iraq5

Private Security Companies in Iraq5

Impact of Private Security Companies6

American Companies, Bullying and Repression of People6

The Legal Basis for Their Work in Iraq7

Image of Private security Companies in the mind of the people in Iraq8

U.S intervention and the impact of Private Security companies on the Economy of Iraq8

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY10

Research Design10

Literature Search10

Confidentiality11

Validity11

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

This paper will discuss the controversy concerning Private security Company's (PSCs) operating in Iraq and some of the problems they have caused. Furthermore, the paper will review the Department of State's management responsibilities concerning its protective security contracts, and it will offer recommendations for the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and U.S. Embassy, Baghdad to improve its management and oversight of these contracts. Diplomatic Security Service special agents, serving as regional security officers (RSO), are responsible for the management of security programs to protect personnel, buildings, and information. The Diplomatic Security Service has a total of 1,450 special agents, 60% of whom serve domestically either in field offices, in cities throughout the U.S., or in Washington D.C Due to the size and scope of its overseas protective security operations over the years, DSS has been required to employ private security contractors (PSCs) to meet the expanded protective security requirements. The first PSCs were deployed on a small scale to protect U.S. Embassy personnel in Haiti in 1994; they were used again in 1995 to protect U.S Ambassadors implementing the Dayton Peace Accords in Bosnia due to an expanded need for PSCs, in 2000 (Al-Khalil, 2001, 17-98).

Rationale

As the diplomatic mission, in Iraq expanded, and the protective security requirements at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad increased, DynCorp was unable to meet the full contract, requirement levels for personnel. Therefore, to supplement the existing DynCorp contract, DS awarded a contract to Blackwater. A third contract was also awarded to Triple Canopy to protect U.S. diplomatic personnel at Regional Embassy Office, Basrah. In 2005, due to changing program requirements resulting from the escalating threat ...