WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today introduced the Andean
Region Contractor Accountability Act (ARCAA), legislation that would prohibit
the federal government from funding private armies in the Andean region.
Currently, taxpayer funds are used to pay private companies millions of
dollars to fight the war on drugs in the Andean region.
“The
American taxpayers are funding a secret war that could suck us into a Vietnam-like
conflict. Those private military contractors are not held accountable
for their actions, and may draw the U.S. deeper into regional conflicts
and civil wars,” said Schakowsky, who toured Colombia earlier this year.
“The
public has a right to know that the defense Department is outsourcing dangerous
missions to private armies that operate free from public scrutiny.
Is the U.S. military privatizing its missions in order to avoid public
controversy or embarrassment? Is it to hide body bags from the media
and thus shield them from public opinion?” Schakowsky added.
The
bill specifically states that the U.S. government cannot enter into a contract
with private organizations or individuals “to carry out military, law
enforcement, armed rescue, or other related operations in the countries
of the Andean region, including any operations relating to narcotics control
efforts.” This bill would not hinder humanitarian activities
or aid. Currently, private companies are being paid by the federal government
to pilot drug-crop fumigation aircraft, fly helicopters transporting Colombian
army battalions, gather aerial intelligence and perform armed search and
rescue missions.
Schakowsky
said that with the presence of private armies and contractors, the potential
for an escalation of a larger conflict exists today in the region, particularly
in Colombia where private military personnel have been involved in direct
fire fights with rebel forces. She also pointed to the recent incident
in Peru where the action of unnamed CIA contractors resulted in the murder
of an American missionary and her baby daughter.
The
bill is cosponsored by Representatives Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) and Jim
McGovern (D-MA) |