NYT: Withdraw All Private Armies From Iraq

[babylonsister]

Legal Loopholes in Iraq

Published: November 5, 2007


Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice refers to the lack of legal accountability that allows mercenaries working for the American government to kill Iraqis without fear of prosecution as “a lacuna” in our law.

Ms. Rice is correct, if disingenuous. The gap was created by the very administration she serves — in a decree issued three years ago by its occupation administrator, Paul Bremer, who granted legal immunity to foreign private contractors. And the Iraqi government is understandably in a hurry to correct the mistake. On Tuesday, the cabinet agreed on draft legislation to revoke the decree.

Washington, however, also needs to address the problem. The administration should withdraw all of these private armies from Iraq, and while it does that, Congress must act swiftly to ensure that American justice applies to all those who remain.

Baghdad’s attempt to prosecute United States mercenaries for crimes against Iraqis is not unreasonable. Fuming after Blackwater agents contracted by the State Department mowed down 17 Iraqis in Baghdad on Sept. 16, Iraqis were incensed when they found out that State Department agents investigating the incident offered the guards a form of immunity from prosecution under American law.

Beyond corroborating the State Department’s incompetence, the spectacle of Washington letting its trigger-happy bodyguards off the hook wiped out whatever residual sense of legitimacy Iraqis may have still attached to the United States’ mission.

The fallout over Washington’s careless mishandling of the contractors ultimately reinforces the argument for an orderly exit of all American forces, returning to Iraqis the power and responsibility to build their nation.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/opinion/05mon3.html?ex=1351918800&en=d0db77cba990d6b5&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

[SpiralHawk]

1. "Where's the profit in that?" - Republicons

[oscarmitre]

2. Lacuna my arse

It was an occupation. It was considered, it was deliberate. Now they've been sprung it's a "lacuna". Getting in early before the trials with a half-arsed defence?

[symbolman]

3. Having pretty much wrung Iraq and our Treasury DRY

The NYTimes, who brought us this Vile corporate takeover of Iraq, ala Judith Miller, now say it's all a big Boo Boo...

Rot in hell you goddamned complicit Media! You need to be drug before a judge in the Hague along with your Masters, BushCo and that Devil Cheney....