Panel Urges Unified Control Of Private Security in Iraq

WASHINGTON — A panel recommended that the American government impose unified control over private security guards working for America in Iraq, an idea already floated by Defense Secretary Gates, the Associated Press has learned.

The review panel found poor communication between diplomats and military officials and too little oversight of contractors like Blackwater USA, two people familiar with the report's findings told the AP yesterday.

The State Department risks another incident like the September 16 Blackwater shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians unless it quickly installs closer management of the private army guarding diplomats in Iraq, the independent panel privately told Secretary of State Rice.

The panel, named by Rice in the wake of the September 16 killings, made no specific recommendations about what should happen to Blackwater, whose guards were escorting an official from the American Embassy when they fired on civilians in a Baghdad square, those familiar with the report said. The killings have outraged Iraqis and focused attention on the shadowy rules surrounding heavily armed private guards.

"There needs to be unity of effort so that whatever's moving in the battle space is coordinated, and it needs to be understood, especially, by the military out in that battle space," one person said.

Those familiar with the recommendations in the report spoke on condition of anonymity because Ms. Rice has not yet decided what changes she will make.