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US extends Iraq contract for Blackwater firm
The State Department said Wednesday it has extended a contract for protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq with a subsidiary of the security firm once known as Blackwater USA even though the company doesn't have a license to operate in the country.
Spokesman Ian Kelly said the contract with Presidential Airways to provide air support for U.S. diplomats had been temporarily extended because the firm chosen to replace it is not yet ready to take over. The contract had been due to expire on Sept. 3 and be taken over a day later by DynCorp International, he said.
"DynCorp came to us and asked for additional time," Kelly told reporters. DynCorp's request for additional time was made last week, he said, adding that the Iraqi government had been informed of the decision and had not registered objections.
Iraqi officials in Baghdad could not immediately be reached for comment.