Bush on Private Military Companies

President Bush does not have a handle on his Administration's use of private military companies in Iraq. Here's a transcript of the answer President Bush gave when asked about private security companies in Iraq at SAIS:

Student: Thank you, Mr. President. It's an honor to have you here.  I'm a first-year student in South Asia studies.  My question is in regards to private military contractors.  Uniform Code of Military Justice does not apply to these contractors in Iraq.  I asked your Secretary of Defense a couple months ago what law governs their actions.

THE PRESIDENT: I was going to ask him.  Go ahead.  (Laughter.)  Help. (Laughter.)

Student: I was hoping your answer might be a little more specific. (Laughter.) Mr. Rumsfeld answered that Iraq has its own domestic laws which he assumed applied to those private military contractors. However, Iraq is clearly not currently capable of enforcing its laws, much less against -- over our American military contractors. I would submit to you that in this case, this is one case that privatization is not a solution. And, Mr. President, how do you propose to bring private military contractors under a system of law?

THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate that very much.  I wasn't kidding -- (laughter.)  I was going to -- I pick up the phone and say, Mr. Secretary, I've got an interesting question.  (Laughter.) This is what delegation -- I don't mean to be dodging the question, although it's kind of convenient in this case, but never -- (laughter.) I really will -- I'm going to call the Secretary and say you brought up a very valid question, and what are we doing about it?  That's how I work.  I'm -- thanks.  (Laughter.)

The transcript is one thing, but the video is even better, but be warned it is almost like watching a car wreck. It is plain to see the President is, at minimum, unaware that privatization of our security responsibility in Iraq has any adverse impact. The plus/minus 20,000 private security contractors (as of 2004, more than double that in 2006 with far fewer Westerners) are part of the plus/minus $20 billion / year industry (for security contractors) has a real impact on policy choice, implementation, and reaction. While it may seem President Bush indicated he isn't concerned about this, he may honestly not know about the extent of the privatization and its impact in Iraq. It's clear neither DOS nor DOD understands this.