Iraqi report calls for big compensation from Blackwater, ouster from country

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

BAGHDAD – Iraqi authorities want the U.S. government to sever all contracts in Iraq with Blackwater USA within six months and pay $8 million in compensation to each of the families of 17 people killed when the firm's guards sprayed a traffic circle with heavy machine gun fire last month.

The demands – part of an Iraqi government report examined by The Associated Press – also called on U.S. authorities to hand over the Blackwater security agents involved in the Sept. 16 shootings to face possible trial in Iraqi courts.

The tone of the Iraqi report appears to signal further strains between the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the White House over the deaths in Nisoor Square – which have prompted a series of U.S. and Iraqi probes and raised questions over the use of private security contractors to guard U.S. diplomats and other officials.

Al-Maliki ordered the investigation by his defense minister and other top security and police officials on Sept. 22. The findings – which were translated from Arabic by AP – mark the most definitive Iraqi positions and contentions about the shootings last month.

Read more: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20071008-1141-iraq-blackwaterreport.html

[wtmusic]

1. Wow. Gonna be tough to wiggle out of this one. nt

[Mike Daniels]

2. One wonders what Maliki will do when the US gives him the finger.

All he probably has to do is give the word and the whole country would rise up against the US forces.

[whosinpower]

3. What the US does

Will have a direct impact to the legitimacy of the Maliki government.

If they really wanted this government to stand, then they will agree in principle to the terms.

I am so skeptical of the process, however, that in my mind what blackwater did is precisely what the americans want....to sow dissent and precipitate neverending war. It is good for the profit takers of war.

Follow the money, a wise man once said. Someone, or a bunch of someones are making huge windfall profits off this exercise. They won't give that up for morality or principles of humanity.

[cliss]

4. I agree.

It's going to be interesting to see what the US reaction will be. NOW we'll see Bush put his money where his mouth is. All the talk of democracy in Iraq, all the promises, the platitudes.

[Skink]

5. Congress should with hold funding until these benchmarks are reached.

[soothsayer]

6. $8 million per family is nothing. We already give the Iraqi prez and all MILLIONS

per month in 'petty cash' they can use for bribes and stuff (have to bribe their staff to keep themselves alive and safe).

[ScooterFibby]

7. NO MORE MONEY FOR MERCENARIES!!!

Just say it loud. No more money for mercenaries!

Are they saying the Marines can no longer protect our own diplomats?

Start the withdrawl with the overpaid, under-monitored, out-of-control mercenaries!

[olddad56]

12. The legisattive branch of government doesn't have the powewr to cut money to them.

One of Bush's dirty tricks.

[Ian_rd]

8. Kick

[JerseygirlCT]

9. I'd like to see BLACKWATER liable for that money, not

the US -- because that means the collective us paying for what Blackwater did.

[Tumbulu]

10. I agree with you!

Blackwater is a corporation, is it not? Why is it not held liable?

[Auntie Bush]

11. Blackwater has earned billions...they can afford the payments.

Trouble is then all the thousands of Iraqis our military killed will also want millions from the US government. Ouch...that's going to hurt! If the world declares this an illegal war...we're doomed! It should be taken directly from bush et al hides/pockets. Take every penny in their accounts and sell everything they own and even take their retirement and FBI security guards.

[JerseygirlCT]

13. Legally, I don't see how to get at Bush's private money

but I do think the gov't should cut Blackwater free. They don't think they're liable to criminal charges for anything they do there? Not held to the same standards as our military?

OK then, they're also not covered. On their own. Pay it up, guys.

[rAVES]

14. Iraq: Ditch Blackwater

Source: BBC

Iraq has demanded that the US end its association with private security firm Blackwater within six months.

It accuses Blackwater guards of having deliberately fired on Iraqi civilians, killing 17 and injuring more than 20.

The government has demanded Blackwater pay $8m compensation to each family bereaved by last month's shootings.

Private security employees are immune from prosecution in Iraq, but an FBI investigation into the killings raises the prospect of trials in the US.

The BBC's Jon Brain in Baghdad says the now infamous Blackwater affair is continuing to cause huge strains between the Iraqi and US governments.

The new details of Iraq's demands were outlined in an official report issued on Monday in Arabic and subsequently translated by international news agencies.

Blackwater denies its men acted improperly, while Washington, which depends on the company to protect its embassy staff in Baghdad, has declined to comment on the Iraqi report.

<snip>



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7035115.stm

[meegbear]

15. Awww, isn't it cute when Iraq tries to act like a real country?

Just let the US handle it and don't worry your pretty little head. :sarcasm:

It's ridiculous that some rogue group and do whatever the fuck they want and know that they'll get away with it.

[Demeter]

16. The Mouse That Roared

More power to Iraq, if the regime there thinks it can dictate to the regime here.

It's fairly obvious to anyone observant that now the US regime has no remaining power over Iraq.
The question is, how long will it take the US regime to come to that conclusion? By the 12th of Never, I expect.

Shame about that very expensive, expansive Embassy. Well, the Iraqis can turn it into a university, or some other public infrastructure.

[Maribelle]

17. Blackwater and their tainted meat have been recalled, I see.

And on a large scale.


This would put most meat processors in the U.S. out of business. Those, except for the ones that do lap dances for the corrupt Bush administration and its CEO Cheney.

[Caria]

18. This kid nails it

Looking for an exciting job?
Ever dreamt of getting away with murder, or of living in a world with no laws? Do you think that $15,000 is fair price to pay for a life lost, and do you think, in the words of one of our employees, that war is so fun that we probably shouldn't even be paying you? (Don't worry, we'll be paying you; you should see how much the State Department is paying us). Have you ever wanted to see Iraq up close and personal, but felt the U.S. military's emphasis on the rule of law was too button-down and inhibiting? Than Blackwater USA might be for you.

http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/10/08/Viewpoint/Looking.For.An.Exciting.Job-3016894.shtml

[pinniped]

19. At what point does Iraq realize they are truly powerless?

BW, don't worry. In a couple days Iraq will drop its demands like it did last time, when it revoked your license to operate that it didn't give you in the first place.

[Vidar]

20. I admire the hell out of the Iraqi authorities on this issue. Despite

several occupying armies, they're still willing to stand up to these bullies. A lot of our political "leaders" could learn something from them, but I won't hold my breath.