Truest statement of the week II

Roy Gutman: But you know when you enter the American Embassy in Baghdad, you get first questioned by Peruvians who are contractors. I-I think the traditional role of the marines as being the guard for embassies is actually a good one. And I think the idea of contracting that out, however necessary it was during the war because there simply weren't enough troops of any force to do it -- is a real question. I don't see -- and the State Department didn't master having these private contractors. They-they lost control of them again and again and again. There not able to manage them, frankly. And, uh, the whole embassy. You go to this embassy, it's an immense thing really. It was built kind of for a pro-counsel's role. And you have to ask: 'Why did we do this in the middle of the war?'



Susan Page: Roy, Roy, I don't understand. So this security at the US Embassy in Baghdad is Peruvian?



Roy Gutman: The first line.



Karen DeYoung: The outer parameter.



Roy Gutman: The outer parameter.



Susan Page: And who's employing the Peruvians to provide the security?



Roy Gutman: Uh, I don't know. Maybe it's Triple Canopy. I forget the name of the contractor.



Susan Page: But it's a contractor working for the US government?



Roy Gutman: Oh yeah.



Susan Page: Huh. Alright. That surprises me.



-- NPR's The Diane Rehm Show Friday, second hour. Susan Page (USA Today) filled in for Diane Rehm and also in the exchange above are McClatchy Newspapers' Roy Gutman and The Washington Post's Karen DeYoung.