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August 19, 2010

US: Afghan Ban on Armed Contractors Could Threaten Aid
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The Obama administration is warning that an Afghan government ban on
private military firms could harm US aid and development work in
Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued a decree this week
ordering all private firms to disband within four months. About 26,000
armed security contractors work with the US government in Afghanistan,
including 19,000 with the US military. In a statement, the US embassy in
Afghanistan said, "We are concerned that any quick action to remove
private security companies may have unintended consequences, including
the possible delay of US reconstruction and development assistance
efforts."



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