Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has awarded BAE Systems a contract
for law enforcement programs in at least two Middle East countries deemed
dangerous for Americans.

The State Department awarded BAE Systems a contract to support criminal
justice and development programs in Iraq and Lebanon.

BAE would provide the services under the Criminal Justice Program to help countries with weak security forces and legal authority.

“This contract will provide critical assistance to governments that have struggled in the midst of conflict or natural disasters,” BAE vice president Scott Black said.

Executives said BAE would work with a joint venture identified as Bering Straits Orion Management in the areas of governance and rule of law. They said Bering Straits would lead the program and train police and prison officers as well as judges and prosecutors in Iraq, Lebanon as well as Afghanistan, Haiti, Kosovo and Liberia.

So far, 12 contractors have been selected to support the State
Department program. Both Iraq and Lebanon contain governments heavily
influenced by Iran and its Shi’ite proxies, including Hizbullah.

“The Criminal Justice Program Support contract is an indefinite
delivery/indefinite quantity type, in which teams will participate in bids
for individual task orders,” BAE said on June 15.

  Bering Straits Orion Management, Lebanon, Shi’ite proxies, train police and prison officers, U.S. hires firm to cultivate rule of law in Iraq, U.S. State Department