 Afghan govt to impose harsh conditions on private security firms
Kabul, 2008 Jan 8, Al-Manar
The Afghan government said Tuesday it will impose "harsh conditions" on private security firms after complaints that some are involved in criminal activity. The companies, including US-owned Protection and Investigation and Louis Berger, have flourished in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in 2001. They mainly provide protection to international diplomats and businesses.
A spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai said they needed to be more closely controlled to avoid "security problems."
"A draft law has been prepared. It's being discussed," spokesman Homayun Hamidzada told a news conference in Kabul.
"What I can say now is the government wants to regulate the private security companies in a legal framework, enforcing very harsh conditions."
Kabul residents have complained that some of the firms have been involved in crimes including murder, robbery and abduction, prompting the government to shut several down in October.
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