Blackwater supports State Dept. recommendations

By JoAnne Allen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Private security contractor Blackwater USA said on Wednesday it supports recommendations by a State Department panel to boost oversight of contractors in Iraq.

North Carolina-based Blackwater, which employs about 1,000 people in Iraq, said it was pleased the U.S. government was seeking to improve contractor accountability.

Blackwater has been under intense scrutiny since the shooting deaths of at least 17 Iraqis last month in Baghdad in an incident that enraged Iraq's government.

Blackwater, which protects U.S. diplomats and other State Department officials in Iraq, has said its guards acted lawfully.

A panel of experts appointed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to look into the work of private security contractors after the September 16 shooting said this week that prompt measures were needed to strengthen oversight and accountability of the department's security practices in Iraq.

"Improvements are necessary to address shortcomings in coordination and oversight that have undermined confidence in the operation of the security program," the report said.

Blackwater said it welcomed the recommendations.

"We look forward to participating in constructive efforts to improve governmental oversight and accountability and we applaud the Department of State for taking this essential first step," the company said in a statement.