FAMAS in Baghdad

[Upfrontreporting]

Made this cut-out from a picture in Der Spiegel (German magazine), a PMC using a FAMAS rifle. Any French PMC´s operating in Iraq??

http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/album44/aaa.jpg


Anyways it makes an interesting pic.



regards
Upfrontreporting

[fantassin]

There are not many security companies in France because of some very restrictive laws banning any sort of mercenary activities.

Geos and Secopex are the best known but there are also French individuals in foreign companies like Stirling for example.

Generally, French companies specialize in consulting and are esp. skilled in EOD activities.

http://www.secopex.com/index_en.htm


Now, since the French embassy has recently reopened in Bagdad, it could also very well be a Gendarme part of a protection detail for some French diplomats; that would make much more sense since finding parts for a FAMAS in Bagdad for a private individual must be a nightmare, not to mention the very high visibility of carrying such a distinctive rifle.

[pipaz]

There are not many security companies in France because of some very restrictive laws banning any sort of mercenary activities.

I wonder why, is it because of french foreign legions past ?

[benny5405]

maybe they are the body guard , but he bought a FAMAS and use

[Dutchman2]

It looks (it hard for me to see, thought) that this is a civilian version from the FAMAS. It hasn't the rings on the barrel for the grenade drop compesation. Maybe this is a civilian bought rifle. I don't know.

[gilgoul]

DP :oops:

[gilgoul]

There are not many security companies in France because of some very restrictive laws banning any sort of mercenary activities.

I wonder why, is it because of french foreign legions past ?


The law was passed in the 90~s after the Bob Denard affair, when a group of French mercenaries took power in the Comores Island (next to madagascar).

[OldRecon]

There are not many security companies in France because of some very restrictive laws banning any sort of mercenary activities.

I wonder why, is it because of french foreign legions past ?


The law was passed in the 90~s after the Bob Denard affair, when a group of French mercenaries took power in the Comores Island (next to madagascar).

Wasn't that at about the same time Mike Hoare tried to make a similar coup on the Seychelles? They ran their own separate commandos for Moise Tschombe in Congo during the early 60's (at least during the crushing of the Simba revolt).
Hoare was the more successfull of the two during the Congo years, though later with their parallell island coups the roles were reversed.

[gilgoul]

There are not many security companies in France because of some very restrictive laws banning any sort of mercenary activities.

I wonder why, is it because of french foreign legions past ?


The law was passed in the 90~s after the Bob Denard affair, when a group of French mercenaries took power in the Comores Island (next to madagascar).

Wasn't that at about the same time Mike Hoare tried to make a similar coup on the Seychelles? They ran their own separate commandos for Moise Tschombe in Congo during the early 60's (at least during the crushing of the Simba revolt).

Hoare was the more successfull of the two during the Congo years, though later with their parallell island coups the roles were reversed.


It sounds familiar, but i`m not informed enough to bring any new element, i`ll search.
(BTW, the absolut wasn`t bad finally :D )

[Deuterium]

I have no idea about the pic but I do know there was a large number of FAMASs' floating about in pre-war Iraq. Before the war I was offered a number of these weapons for purchase. It was from a smuggler who said he was getting them from the Iraqi military.