BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki asked the U.S. State Department to "pull Blackwater out of Iraq," after an Iraqi probe concluded that the private contractors committed unprovoked and random killings in a September 16 shooting, an adviser to al-Maliki told CNN.
But in Washington, State Department spokesman Tom Casey said the department has received "no specific request" from Iraq to withdraw the company's contractors.
Al-Maliki adviser Sami al-Askari told CNN the Iraqis have completed their investigation into the shooting at Nusoor Square in Baghdad.
Al-Askari said the United States is still waiting for the findings of the American investigation, but al-Maliki and most Iraqi officials are "completely satisfied" with the findings of their probe and are "insisting" that Blackwater leave the country.
If and when the Iraqi government asks the US military to leave they had better well damned comply with those wishes as well.
U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Natango told CNN by telephone that the Iraqi-U.S. joint commission met and is proceeding with its work on the matter.
"We need to let the joint commission do its work," she said, adding that once the joint commission has finished, it will make policy recommendations.
So will the Bush Administration comply with the wishes of a soverign government?
I know Blackwater is full of highly skilled mostly former Special Ops guys. But why are they protecting our diplomats?
I can understand Journalists and private citizens. But why are mercenaries doing this?
It cots much more money in terms of salary for these guys. Paid upwards of 100k a year. Meanwhile a Sarge in the Army who should be doing the job is pulling in 30something.
The Bottom line for me is this. The Iraqi Government made a decision on armed people on thier soil. They have asked them to leave. Blackwater and the Bush Administration need to comply with those demands.
