Iraqis Tell L-3 Communications to Pay Up

Iraqis Tell Defense Contractor to Pay Up
Courthouse News Service
July 1, 2009

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (CN) - Iraq contractor L3 Communications refused to pay 33 native civilians who helped the U.S. military fight terrorism, the Iraqis claim in Federal Court.

L3 was contracted to supply the military with Iraqi-born civilians who would help U.S. soldiers and Marines combat insurgents in Iraq and Kuwait, the lawsuit claims.

The Iraqis say they worked around the clock "for upwards of a year or more, at times continuously."

"[P]laintiffs were confined to their living areas, could not wander off post or off base at will, and were literally 'on the job' 24 hours every day, 7 days a week," the lawsuit states. "Virtually every minute of every day while plaintiffs were in Iraq, their lives were controlled by the defendants."

The Iraqis admit to having signed papers stating that they were exempt from overtime pay, but said the contract was "a fraud and a sham and oppressive." They argue that the uniqueness and sensitivity of their jobs entitle them to labor protections. They demand actual and punitive damages for L3's alleged failure to pay regular and overtime wages, conversion and fraud.

The complaint was filed by Michael Green with Margolis Pritzker of Towson, Md.

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Military Trade Delegation Claims To Provide Clients Easy Access in Iraq

Unlicensed “New- Fields Exhibitions” Claims To Provide Clients Easy Access in Iraq
by Adam Lichtenheld, July 1, 2009, http://www.storiesthatmatter.org/

"Since the fall of 2003, New-Fields Exhibitions, a Dubai-based marketing company with a corporate office in Washington, has organized over a dozen conferences promoting opportunities in Iraq’s reconstruction, security and oil sectors."

"The names adorning the delegate lists of New-Fields’ events are among the Who’s Who of Iraq war profiteers: Halliburton/KBR, Bechtel, Titan, General Dynamics, Blackwater, Fluor, Perini, URS Corporation. But while the rebuilding effort in Iraq has become characterized by pervasive waste and fraud—turning funds once touted as a new Marshall Plan into what critics classify as corporate blood money—New-Fields, the self-arrogated hookup for Iraqi business deals, has avoided the scrutiny faced by some of its more dubious clientele..."

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L-3 and other Top U.S. Defense Companies Join an Industry Delegation to Iraq

Army Guide - Boeing, L-3 and other Top U.S. Defense Companies Join an Industry Delegation to Iraq:

"Ten leading US defense companies including Boeing and L-3 have joined the US Defense Industry Delegation to Iraq July 25-31, New Fields Officials announced today."

'The ten companies participating in this delegation represent the cutting edge of US aviation security, sea, land and air defense products and technologies, which can Strengthen Iraq's Sovereignty & Security' said Maher Giundi, Government Programs Director of New Fields.

'The participating delegates will be meeting senior Iraqi Military Commanders and defense Specialists' Giundi added.

Since a major focus of delegation will be a series of one-on-one meetings between leading US defense executives and their Iraqi counterparts, New-Fields knowledgeable staff will be on the ground matching participating US companies with potential buyers including meetings with government officials and Military Commanders."

The delegation has the full support of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and Iraqi Military Commanders who are looking for products and technologies that will strengthen Iraq's sovereignty and security.

About US Defense Industry Delegation to Iraq

The USDID/Iraq delegation's goal is to provide market entry or increased sales in Iraq for US Security, Sea, Land and Air Defense products and technologies. In addition, first hand market information and access to potential business partners. Delegates will be holding a series of meetings with defense and security agencies, officials, and procurements specialists. "

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