Rice Backs More Oversight For Security Contractors

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is backing tougher oversight of private guards who protect American diplomats in Iraq.<br/><br/>A spokesman says Rice is prepared to order implementation

Tuesday, October 23rd 2007, 2:45 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is backing tougher oversight of private guards who protect American diplomats in Iraq.

A spokesman says Rice is prepared to order implementation of proposals submitted by an independent panel. The move comes after guards working for Blackwater USA were accused of killing 17 Iraqi civilians.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was briefed on the panel's findings Monday.

Among other things, the report cited poor communication between diplomats and
military officials, along with little oversight of contractors like Blackwater.