Iraq security firm warnings unheeded

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Chairman of Blackwater USA Erik Prince testifies before a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on private security contracting in Iraq in Washington on October 2, 2007. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch)

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. government allegedly disregarded letters and memos warning of the risk of private security firms in Iraq such as Blackwater, The Washington Post said.

The documents between U.S. and Iraqi officials from a two-year period showed increasing concern over control of private security forces in Iraq, The Post said, but the Pentagon and State Department didn't act until Blackwater Worldwide guards killed 17 civilians in Iraq.

The Sept. 16 incident prompted protests over such private security forces, the largest force employed by the United States during wartime.

"Why is it they couldn't see this coming?" Christopher Beese, chief administrative officer for British security firm ArmorGroup International, asked the Post.

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Iraq security firm warnings unheeded