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In Report, State Says Contract Guards Can't Be Prosecuted
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ShareOctober 31, 2007 2:07 PM
News that the State Department granted immunity to Blackwater security personnel in Iraq who may know about or have been involved in the killing of Iraqi civilians is kicking up a lot of dust in Washington. But it's not clear those contract guards could have faced prosecution in U.S. courts.
A State panel studying the issue of private military contractors, or PMCs, twice urged Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to work with the White House and Congress to take actions that would ensure contract guards from Blackwater and other PMCs could be prosecuted in U.S. courts.
The three-member State Department panel concluded in its Oct. 23 report that it was "unaware of any basis for holding non-Department of Defense contractors accountable under U.S. law." (A hat tip to ABC News' Jonathan Karl for noting this yesterday.)
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- Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
The panel, which interviewed U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and his legal advisers, thought the legal black hole was a serious problem. It prodded Rice to work with the White House's Office of Management and Budget, the Justice Department and Congress to "establish a firm legal basis for holding contractors accountable under U.S. law." (In the panel's interim report, issued Oct. 4, it was recommendation No. 10; in its final report, it moved up eight spots to No. 2.)
A State Department spokesman yesterday blamed lower-ranking officials for the waivers, which were said to complicate, and possibly doom, an ongoing FBI criminal investigation into the fatal September shooting of several Iraqi civilians by Blackwater guards. The Associated Press reported today that these immunity waivers have been routinely granted for years.
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
October 31, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (6)
This is pure and simple BS. What about the soldiers, sailors and Marines who have 'accidently' shot civilians and now facing prosecution? Where's their immunity?! No, I don't think it's right for anyone kill, but when you compare the training (or lack of) for the security personnel compared to our military - then compare the huge difference in pay, this is punishing our enlisted troops. Just another big cover-up by the government for yet another screw-up. Our tax dollars at work to line someone's pockets.
Posted by: Mel | Oct 31, 2007 3:51:55 PM
Sounds to me like the government doesan't want to hold Blackwater accountable for killing those people in Iraq. They are finding different reasons every day not to prosecute them .If they cant be held accountable in the united states courts I'm sure the Iraq government would be glad to get It done. I think the bottom line right here in the US is the government does not want to prosecute them, and wished the people in Iraq would have kept their big mouth's shut about it!
Posted by: Jeanette | Nov 1, 2007 10:26:04 AM
Hey these guys are over there protecting our people and others from terrests. Thats what they get paid for. They are hired because they are the best of the best. If people start shooting at them, god help them. As far as I am concerned our troops are under payed for what they do as well. Dont come crying back to me if someone gets hurt while they are tring to take out someone Blackwater is protecting. They do a good job and have been there from the beginning. My hat is off to them and hope they all come home safely as well.
Posted by: Daniel Boucher | Nov 1, 2007 1:36:18 PM
I was just reading on msnbc that blackwater had purchesd silencers from a manufacturing co. in s.c. for pistole's, rifle's and machine gun's... And the headline's read "Blackwater Sneak's Silencer's Into Iraq".. They just need to keep on investigating, never know what they will come up with.
Posted by: Jeanette | Nov 1, 2007 5:04:08 PM
people of america if you havent realized it yet, or country is no dif then those outside, just a little more orginized. With that and all these legal crap, we cant do anything unless we have a lawyer, cant do anything unless we hire someone , cant obtain information that isnt even given to us about some tax crap or some new law that comes out and we get in trouble for it. Point is America is just as currupted as any other country except for that their more decieving.
Posted by: no one | Nov 1, 2007 9:41:45 PM
When did Condolezza get appointed to the bench and start practicing Law? What Court does she have authority to sit on the bench and interpret? Now she is trying for usurping the Executive Branch powers!
Posted by: TVCASTER | Nov 4, 2007 7:19:51 AM
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