Iraq report: Oust Blackwater from nation

cat's meow · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 01:49 AM

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Quote:

Iraq report: Oust Blackwater from nation

Updated: 9:30 p.m. ET Oct. 8, 2007

BAGHDAD - Iraqi authorities want the U.S. government to sever all contracts in Iraq with Blackwater USA within six months. They also want the firm to pay $8 million in compensation to families of each of the 17 people killed when its 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.
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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.

The report also highlights the differences in death tolls and accounts that have complicated efforts to piece together the chain of events as one Blackwater-protected convoy raced back toward Baghdad’s Green Zone after a nearby bombing, while a second backup team in four gun trucks sped into the square as a backup team.

Details of incident in dispute
The Iraqi investigation — first outlined Thursday by The Associated Press — charges the four Blackwater vehicles called to the square began shooting without provocation. Blackwater contends its employees came under fire first.

The government, at the conclusion of its investigation, said 17 Iraqis died. Initial reports put the toll at 11.

It said the compensation — totaling $136 million — was so high “because Blackwater uses employees who disrespect the rights of Iraqi citizens even though they are guests in this country.”

The U.S. military pays compensation money to the families of civilians killed in battles or to cover property damage, but at far lower amounts.

The United States has not made conclusive findings about the shooting, though there are multiple investigations under way and Congress has opened inquiries into the role of private security contractors. Last week, the FBI took over a State Department investigation, raising the prospect that it could be referred to the Justice Department for prosecution.

Report: Iraq courts proper venue for trial
The Iraqi government report said its courts were to proper venue in which to bring charges.

It said Blackwater’s license to operate in Iraq expired on June 2, 2006, meaning it had no immunity from prosecution under Iraqi laws set down after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

The government report also challenged the claim that a decree in June 2004 by then-Iraqi administrator L. Paul Bremer granted Blackwater immunity from legal action in incidents such as the one in Nisoor Square. The report said the Blackwater guards could be charged under a criminal code from 1969.

U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said the diplomatic mission would have no comment on the report. Iraq’s Interior Ministry spokesman, Abdul-Karim Khalaf, said the document was in American hands.

The report found that Blackwater guards also had killed 21 Iraqi civilians and wounded 27 in previous shootings since it took over security for U.S. diplomats in Baghdad after the U.S. invasion. The Iraqi government did not say whether it would try to prosecute in those cases.

The State Department has counted 56 shooting incidents involving Blackwater guards in Iraq this year. All were being reviewed as part of the comprehensive inquiry ordered by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

© 2007 The Associated Press.

Still Dizzy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 08:49 AM

You know what is REALLY funny? Blackwater hires lots of unqualified to carry weapons. Blackwater has been involved in selling weapons on the black market. Blackwater has killed, and abused civilians.
What is the difference between Blackwater, and the U.N. peacekeepers? NOTHING! If you rape, and murder, while you wear a blue healmet you are a Liberal darling. Funny how that works.

Smitty0311 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 10:48 AM

The Same Liberals Who Say We Sould Oust Our Military From The Nation Based On The Actions Of A Few! What An Rediculous Arguement!

Cookie Parker · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 10:49 AM

Spoken like a HATE AMERICA REPUBICAN...they represent our nation..our STATE DEPARTMENT HIRED THEM you moron.

Iraqi authorities want Blackwater out - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com

Quote:

BAGHDAD - Iraqi authorities want the U.S. government to sever all contracts in Iraq with Blackwater USA within six months. They also want the firm to pay $8 million in compensation to families of each of the 17 people killed when its 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 report comes as the Iraqi government and police said Tuesday that private security guards escorting a convoy of four vehicles through central Baghdad killed two women.

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"There has been an incident, an attack on civilians. Two Iraqi women were killed and an investigation is going on to find which security company it was," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.

Two police sources told Reuters the shooting took place in the district of Karrada but details remained sketchy. There was no immediate indication as to who was responsible for the shooting or what had triggered it.

Further strains
The tone of the Iraqi report on Blackwater 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.

The report also highlights the differences in death tolls and accounts that have complicated efforts to piece together the chain of events as one Blackwater-protected convoy raced back toward Baghdad’s Green Zone after a nearby bombing, while a second backup team in four gun trucks sped into the square as a backup team.

Details of incident in dispute
The Iraqi investigation — first outlined Thursday by The Associated Press — charges the four Blackwater vehicles called to the square began shooting without provocation. Blackwater contends its employees came under fire first.

The government, at the conclusion of its investigation, said 17 Iraqis died. Initial reports put the toll at 11.

It said the compensation — totaling $136 million — was so high “because Blackwater uses employees who disrespect the rights of Iraqi citizens even though they are guests in this country.”

Click for related content
Piecing together the Blackwater shooting
Newsweek: Blackwater's arrogant attitude

The U.S. military pays compensation money to the families of civilians killed in battles or to cover property damage, but at far lower amounts.

The United States has not made conclusive findings about the shooting, though there are multiple investigations under way and Congress has opened inquiries into the role of private security contractors. Last week, the FBI took over a State Department investigation, raising the prospect that it could be referred to the Justice Department for prosecution.

Report: Iraq courts proper venue for trial
The Iraqi government report said its courts were to proper venue in which to bring charges.

It said Blackwater’s license to operate in Iraq expired on June 2, 2006, meaning it had no immunity from prosecution under Iraqi laws set down after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

The government report also challenged the claim that a decree in June 2004 by then-Iraqi administrator L. Paul Bremer granted Blackwater immunity from legal action in incidents such as the one in Nisoor Square. The report said the Blackwater guards could be charged under a criminal code from 1969.

U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said the diplomatic mission would have no comment on the report. Iraq’s Interior Ministry spokesman, Abdul-Karim Khalaf, said the document was in American hands.

The report found that Blackwater guards also had killed 21 Iraqi civilians and wounded 27 in previous shootings since it took over security for U.S. diplomats in Baghdad after the U.S. invasion. The Iraqi government did not say whether it would try to prosecute in those cases.

The State Department has counted 56 shooting incidents involving Blackwater guards in Iraq this year. All were being reviewed as part of the comprehensive inquiry ordered by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

These morons need to go....did all these guys get dishonorable discharges from the military? Is that why they aren't back in?

Cookie Parker · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty0311

The Same Liberals Who Say We Sould Oust Our Military From The Nation Based On The Actions Of A Few! What An Rediculous Arguement!

Blackwater, moron, is NOT our Military..they don't even have a UCMJ to follow..they are mercenaries....undesireables in the military you frigging moron.

CrankyYankee · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 10:52 AM

Blackwater is obviously way out of control....time to shut them down.

Sam · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 01:11 AM

This is asking for crimes when the company was not subject to the military's restrictions on the use of offensive weapons, its procedures for reporting shooting incidents or a central tracking system that allows commanders to monitor the movements of security companies on the battlefield. Fair or unfair American companies like Blackwater jeoparidize the reputation and safety of the military with these incidents. Iraq is correct to ask them to leave.

noneof yourbusiness · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 02:02 AM

Mercs hired in situations like this are to be able to get results not politicaly possible with standard forces. Meaning they can kill anybody etc. The claim from the Admin is that they free up soldiers for combat ops. They should have thought about that before the went with the low number to start with. When major VIPs come in they get Military escorts and Military aerial cover. Rent a cops like Blackwater are for guarding the motorpool.

This whole thing will fuck the Military even worse. Somebody will need to fill the gap of these mercs leaving. That will be over taxed military..that will get fucked like Sam's MN National Guard example.

Smitty0311 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookie Parker

Blackwater, moron, is NOT our Military..they don't even have a UCMJ to follow..they are mercenaries....undesireables in the military you frigging moron.

So you havent exploited every violent thing that few military members have done and called for widthdraw from Iraq?