The possibility of awarding a security contract comes as the Obama administration is sending thousands of more troops into Afghanistan to quell the rising violence fueled by a resurgent Taliban. As the number of American forces grow over the next several months, so too does the demand to guard their outposts. Defence Secretary Robert Gates had said he wantedto cut back on the use of contractors that now provide a wide range services to the US troops in war zones.
As recently as February, however, Gates called the use of private security contractors in certain parts of Afghanistan “vital” to supporting US bases. A contract for the work also creates job opportunities for Afghans, he said. But the use of private contractors in Iraq has been highly contentious. Since a September 2007 shooting of Iraqi civilians in Baghdad by guards employed by Blackwater (now Xe Services), critics have urged the US officials to maintain much tighter controls over hired guards.
The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the army published a notice on July 10 informing interested contractors it was contemplating a contract for “theater-wide” armed security.
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