Mark Lawrence Urges Investigation of Contractors, Renews Call for Bush Impeachment

Press Release

York County District Attorney Mark Lawrence, candidate for Congress, condemned the State Department actions that have potentially compromised a criminal investigation of Blackwater U.S.A, and called for Congress to investigate the matter as well as the U.S. government's use of private security forces that some are calling "mercenaries."

"We cannot portray ourselves as a pinnacle of democracy while at the same time allowing these private security forces employed by the U.S. to escape the law," Lawrence said, adding that this is further evidence of why he supports a full-scale impeachment investigation by Congress of the Bush Administration's numerous attempts to put itself outside or above the Constitution and the law.

He went on to explain that private contracting is a growing problem with the debacle in Iraq. Citing a September 26th Washington Post article, Lawrence said that the military is undermined by these private companies, who have more relaxed rules of engagement than those followed by soldiers.

"The actions of these private security companies are damaging the reputation of the American soldier serving in Iraq," said Lawrence. "This is another example of why U.S. government out-sourcing of military activities is inherently dangerous."

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