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January 22, 2010

Gates Confirms Blackwater, DynCorp in Pakistan
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Defense Secretary Robert Gates has confirmed the private military firms
Blackwater and Dyn Corp are operating in Pakistan. Gates made the
admission in an interview with the Pakistani network Express TV.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates: “Well, they’re operating as individual
companies here in Pakistan, in Afghanistan and in Iraq. Because they are
theaters of war involving the United States, there are rules concerning
the contracting companies. If they’re contracting with us or with the
State Department here in Pakistan, then there are very clear rules set
forth by the State Department and by ourselves.”

Gates also announced the US will provide a dozen spy drones to Pakistan
for the first time. The news coincides with Pakistan’s announcement it
won’t launch any assaults against militants in North Waziristan for at
least six months.



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