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Iraqi official: Uniformed force 'not under our control'

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, April 17, 2006

BAGHDAD — Forces of an Iraqi security agency developed with private support often pose as government agents while remaining outside of government control.

Officials said the Facility Protection Service has become a huge security force facilitated by private interests in Iraq. They said the service contains 150,000 people, including insurgents and militia members.

"It is not under our control," Interior Minister Bayan Jabr said.

The FPS was established in 2003 to guard official buildings, power stations and other sites. The agency was said to have been bolstered by private interests who have used security officers for a range of non-official missions.

"These forces are the FPS to protect the ministries," Jabr said. "And their numbers are huge. There are 150,000. Their uniform is like the police, their car is like the police, their weapons are like the police."

"There are some forces out of order, not under our control, and not under the control of the Ministry of Defense," Jaber told the BBC on April 12. "They are uniformed like police, their cars are like the police."

Jabr suggested that members of the FPS or colleagues in private security firms have formed death squads. He said they arrive at a victim's home or office under the guise of being on an official mission.

"Terrorists or someone who support the terrorists are using the clothes of the police or the military," Jabr said. "I can tell you with these security companies it is not right. You do not know what they are doing."


Copyright © 2006 East West Services, Inc.

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