U.S. to renew Blackwater contract

WASHINGTON, April 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department will renew its contract with Blackwater to provide security for American diplomats in Iraq, an official said.

Blackwater Worldwide -- based in Moyock, N.C. – was thrust into the international spotlight in September after its guards shot and killed 17 Iraqi civilians, including women and children.

CNN reported Saturday that Greg Starr, acting assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security, said while no provisions have been added to the government's contract with Blackwater, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ordered several procedural changes after the September incident.

Blackwater's five-year contract with the State Department began in 2006. It must be renewed every year, and is up for renewal next month, CNN reported.

Private security contractors, such as Blackwater, have immunity from Iraqi law under a provision instituted shortly after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Blackwater is one of three contractors working under a "task order" to provide security services in Iraq. The other two firms are Triple Canopy of Herndon, Va., and DynCorp International, based in Falls Church, Va.

The Washington Post reported that Blackwater has received more than $1 billion in federal business since 2000, said Eagle Eye, a research company that monitors contract spending.