>The use of private security skyrocketed in Iraq after the March 2003 invasion because of troop shortages and growing violence. U.S. authorities have no idea how many hired guns operate in the country; estimates range from 20,000 to 50,000 or higher of which a high number are Blackwater operatives.

Drafted June 26, 2004.
The rules on use of force are introduced in capital letters with the statement: “NOTHING IN THESE RULES LIMITS YOUR INHERENT RIGHT TO TAKE ACTION NECESSARY TO DEFEND YOURSELF.”
The very next day June 27, 2004 the private security companies were granted immunity from Iraqi law, and the day after that the administrator, Paul Bremer, left Iraq after transferring authority to an interim Iraqi government.

We can see how this all developed and was hurriedly put into place. Democracy ended on that day in Iraq.
>“The Iraqis despised them, because they were untouchable.They were above the law.” Degn said Blackwater’s armed Little Bird helicopters often buzzed the Interior Ministry’s roof, “almost like they were saying, ‘Look, we can fly anywhere we want.’

So, this is the new Iraqi democracy American-style.

>“They are part of the reason for all the hatred that is directed at Americans, because people don’t know them as Blackwater, they know them only as Americans. They are planting hatred, because of these irresponsible acts.”

>Blackwater’s conduct at times inflamed tensions inside the Interior Ministry. Degn was evacuated from the building after an armed standoff between Interior Ministry commandos and Blackwater guards, who had shot and killed an Iraqi driver outside the gates.

Full article <here.>