Iraq PM condemns U.S. Blackwater extension

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Iraq PM condemns U.S. Blackwater contract extension

"BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has criticized the renewing of a U.S. contract with Blackwater to protect American diplomats, saying the security firm had committed a "massacre" against Iraqis.

The U.S. State Department announced on Friday that Blackwater's deal would be extended for a year while the FBI investigates a September 2007 incident in which the company's guards are accused of wrongly killing 17 Iraqis.

"They committed a massacre against Iraqis and until now this issue has not been resolved. No judicial action has been taken, no compensation has been made," Maliki told CNN in an interview broadcast on Monday.

"I would say that the U.S. side should not have moved to renew the contract before the outstanding issues with this company are finalized. I feel this decision was taken without the approval of the Iraqi government."

Iraq PM condemns U.S. Blackwater contract extension | International | Reuters
 
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