Tuesday, April 13, 2004

The Problem With Civilian Contractors

Obviously there's a role for private industry in a war zone. But, there's a big problem when things heat up - they aren't obligated to stay.

Kellogg, Brown and Root, a division of Halliburton and one of the biggest contractors, vowed on Monday "to stay the course and move forward with the logistical support to troops," but with unspecified changes in delivery and security procedures.

But John McCarthy, director of projects for TTS Group, a British company whose Kuwaiti affiliate ships cargo into Iraq, said his company would not operate north of Basra, in the relatively secure south.

"I wouldn't do that any more than put my hand on a hot stove," McCarthy said in a telephone interview.

The U.S.-led military operation is responsible for providing overall security through Iraq, but specific protection depends on the cargo, area and threat level, officers said.


To the extent that our troops are relying on these contractors to keep them in bullets and food... if those contractors scamper off into the night they could be well and truly screwed.