Report calls for changes in rules for contractors

WASHINGTON – The State Department on Tuesday ordered additional revisions to the way it regulates its security contractors abroad after an expert panel issued a blistering report suggesting the current system was flawed and dangerous.

The changes are expected to be the basis for legislation to control overseas contractors, who are now beyond the reach of U.S. statutes, and will bring contractors’ looser rules for use of force into line with those of the military. The department also will speed and improve investigations of incidents involving use of force, and it will take steps to try to make the system for compensating victims more just.

Other recommendations from the four-member panel include cultural sensitivity training for contractors and an effort by the State Department to increase the number of Arabic-speaking contractors in Middle Eastern countries.

The report also calls for the Iraqi government to improve the imperfect system it has had for licensing contractors.