It's hard to make head or tails of the way America has sought to
bring democracy to Iraq; it brought in private security firms whose mission is
to safeguard diplomatic missions, political figures and government officials.
But these companies, rather than maintaining security or contributing to its
restoration - hire the cream of professionals in rapid killing on the front
lines!
These
firms have become a burden to Iraqis. Whenever a mine explodes or shots are
fired, those who work in these companies try to prove their competence to the
officials they are protecting by giving a show with live bullets that even
Hollywood would love.
For the most part, the victims are innocent bystanders.
Eyewitnesses assure me that this happens frequently on several Baghdad streets.
But since the recent horrific deaths committed by security agents, no one has
spoken of the other obvious truth behind the indiscriminate deaths meted out on
our streets: Those who aren’t killed by American bullets, are killed by the
bullets of militias and al-Qaeda or … from depression, which happens to many
Iraqis who can't bear the shock, the absurdity and … the calamities taking
place in the land of Iraq!!
Earlier
this week, when a car bombing incident took place near Baghdad's Al-Nisour
Square, an American diplomatic convoy was passing through the area. In response
to the explosion, private bodyguards who work for the American company
“Blackwater” opened fire Hollywood-style.
What was
the result of the Blackwater Company's crime, which has so tarnished the face
of American security? The death of about 15 martyrs and the wounding of over 30
people – a death toll so high that it would have caused the fall of the
government in any country other than Iraq!! And all this happened in clear
sight and hearing of American diplomats who suffered no harm, except for the
disturbing sound of the explosions taking the lives of so many innocent
bystanders!!
And what
has the government done?
It
deplored and denounced this company which it licensed, and which then denied
that its contract had been canceled!!!
What did America do?
Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice expressed regret to the families of the victims.
Unfortunately, this year American politicians have expressed regret so often
that their tongues have become veritable factories for producing apologies!!! -
always agreeing to cooperate in order to carry out an investigation!! - Which
will certainly be inconclusive due to a lack of evidence!!!
What did
this company - which has seen its share of America's private security market
skyrocket and whose employees have proven their competence in cold-blooded
murder - have to say?
According
to the German News Agency DPA, the company said: “The convoy was attacked by
armed insurgents, not civilians.”
This
explanation is uglier than the deed itself, since when insurgents attack, they
surely have a target and depend on surprise; they rely on hit-and run methods,
which is why they escaped the response of the American agents. So who were the
victims?
Iraqi
citizens who had the bad luck to be in a place targeted by gunfire from two
sides: the gunmen and the Americans.