Based on your reading of the following statement from the Department of Defense, what steps do you suppose the government is taking to make certain private contractors do not exceed their authority? Top officials from the Defense and State departments today signed a joint memorandum that will increase coordination between American military forces, the U. S. Embassy in Baghdad and private security contractors in Iraq. The document broadly defines how future use of force, movement, and reporting of incidents by security contractors in Iraq will be more closely coordinated with U. S. government entities. “We think this is a very good and strong memorandum of agreement between our two departments and should vastly improve the coordination and control of private security contractors operating in Iraq,” Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said today.

With regard to legal accountability of private contractors, Whitman said, the memo reaffirms the departments’ commitment to work with Congress toward legislation that will “facilitate legal accountability” under U. S. law. Whitman said many of the provisions outlined in the memorandum already are in practice, but they will be further “operationalized” by officials at Multinational Force Iraq.

Corporate security forces are taking on an increasingly significant and legally appropriate role in modern warfare.

Contractors will not be used following the cessation of hostilities in Iraq.

With a few years, it is likely that private contractors will replace enlisted soldiers on the battlefield.

The Department of Defense recognizes the need to establish legal boundaries that assure private contractors do not exceed their authority.