The Blackwater billions may be coming home to roost. You remember those guys -- the private contractors with the big guns, bad attitudes and bodacious pay??? You know, the ones who were immune from prosecution?
Not anymore. According to the State Department
That so-called Status of Forces, or SOFA, agreement, which gives the Iraqi government only limited jurisdiction over U.S. troops and Defense Department civilians, excludes Defense Department contractors, two officials said.
The officials spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity after giving the same information to representatives of 172 invited contracting companies in two separate meetings earlier Thursday in Washington.
"Contractors and grantees can no longer expect that they will enjoy the wide range of immunity from Iraqi law that has been in effect since 2003," a State Department official said, reading from the text of a statement presented to the contractors.
Why is it important? Well, for one thing the private contractors are pretty well reviled in Iraq . . .
. . . particularly after a September 2007 incident in which private Blackwater security guards protecting a State Department convoy opened fire in a crowded Baghdad square, killing 17 Iraqi civilians and prompting a huge outcry in Iraq.
I am utterly staggered that the Bush administration agreed to this. But I guess they had to or be forced to leave at year's end by the UN resolution. I have no use for high-tech armed mercenaries that supplied security for profit while our own servicemen and women lacked body armor and proper medical care.
I hope this horrible disaster will be soon be over.
Peace and hope.