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Baghdad
International Airport
Baghdad, Iraq
September 10, 2005 NY Times
The private security company that guards Baghdad International Airport shut
down the airport on Friday, saying it had not been paid for the past six
months. But the company, Global Strategies Group, announced early Saturday
that it had agreed to reopen the airport on Saturday morning after a promise
by the Iraqi government to pay half the amount owed. The shutdown on Friday
nearly led to a standoff between American military forces and Iraqi soldiers
when United States forces rushed to the airport to prevent Iraqi troops from
taking it over, according to Iraqi officials and the security company. After
Global Strategies closed the airport at dawn on Friday, infuriated Iraqi
ministry officials dispatched their own troops to secure the airport. But the
Iraqis turned back to avoid a confrontation with American soldiers who had
already hurried to the airport from their nearby base, according to Iraqi
officials and Global Strategies. Global Strategies has offices in London;
Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates; and Washington. The company shut down
the airport for 48 hours in June over the nonpayment, he said, but went back
on the job after assurances of a resolution. He said the airport could be
reopened for civilian passengers by 8 a.m. Saturday.
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