Iraq-U.S. Accord Wipes Out Contractor Immunity (Update1)
By Gopal Ratnam and Viola Gienger
Nov. 20 (Bloomberg) — U.S. government contractors in Iraq are balking at a new agreement that eliminates their immunity from local laws, saying thousands of Americans would be subject to a legal system that still fails international standards.
“This agreement throws the DoD contractors under the bus,” said Doug Brooks, president of the International Peace Operations Association, a trade group that represents 57 firms that provide services including security, development and military support. Pretrial detention and incarceration in Iraq are “way below” global standards, he said.
The Defense Department and State Department briefed their private contractors today on a provision of the so-called status- of-forces accord that eliminates contractors’ immunity from prosecution under Iraqi law. While the agreement applies to U.S. military operations, the State Department told its contractors today that Iraq will make them subject to the same rules.
The provision is part of an agreement that would govern U.S. military operations in Iraq after a United Nations Security Council resolution expires on Dec. 31. About 28,000 of the 163,500 people employed as Pentagon contractors in Iraq are U.S. citizens. Others are Iraqis or citizens of other countries, according to Defense Department data. About 4,500 of the State Department’s 5,500 contractors in Iraq are U.S. citizens. (Read more HERE)
That’s just damn scary!!! I just can’t imagine being in an Iraqi jail! Oh hell no!
Ms Sparky
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4 comments
im done. i dont trust kbr to take care of me now. if anyone thinks kbr wont hand them over to iraqi authorities they are fools. if you think iraqi authorities are not going to harass you at the airport your a fool. they are going to get some payback. you are going to see abductions again because the iraqi police will sell your ass to the insurgents.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I couldn’t agree more. I’m afraid we are going to be seeing more “Nick Berg” stuff on the internet.
Two things are going to happen when this takes effect: 1) the Iraq government is going to start arresting contractors to show they can, and to exert authority they have not had to date; 2) they are going to start arresting Americans for retribution. There are a lot of those folks with and axe to grind with us.
Another thing: to those who are still in country and have any “contraband”, or those things that are not allowed by Islamic law, get rid of it now. No American agency will be able to protect you, and there are infidels to be punished.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Valid points! There will be no more transferring criminals to another site or sneaking them out of the country. KBR will legally have to turn them over.
Just think of all the un-announced inspections now. Who wants to bet that the Iraqi’s will insist now they have the authority to do the inspections? Unsupervised at that.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Do not expect KBR to protect your interests.
KBR, won’t protect you if you are caught with something you are not supposed to have second you are on a military base General order #1
applies to all
KBR has a right to search your HOOCH last i checked KBR property
not allowed any contraband
the military can search when ever they want you do work on a military base
Ms Sparky’s Response:
So….getting caught with a Playboy or a beer warrants time in an Iraqi prison?
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