Blackwater Up Sh*t's Creek
For a second there, I thought they would get away with it.
But, if this video is conclusive, Blackwater's up shit's creek.
Iraqi investigators have a videotape that shows Blackwater USA guards opened fire against civilians without provocation in a shooting last week that left 11 people dead, a senior Iraqi official said Saturday. He said the case was referred to the Iraqi judiciary.Iraq's president, meanwhile, demanded that the Americans release an Iranian arrested this week on suspicion of smuggling weapons to Shiite militias. [good news!] The demand adds new strains to U.S.-Iraqi relations only days before a meeting between President Bush and Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf said Iraqi authorities had completed an investigation into the Sept. 16 shooting in Nisoor Square in western Baghdad and concluded that Blackwater guards were responsible for the deaths.
He told The Associated Press that the conclusion was based on witness statements as well as videotape shot by cameras at the nearby headquarters of the national police command. He said eight people were killed at the scene and three of the 15 wounded died in hospitals.
Blackwater, which provides most of the security for U.S. diplomats and civilian officials in Iraq, has insisted that its guards came under fire from armed insurgents and shot back only to defend themselves.
Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said Saturday that she knew nothing about the videotape and was contractually prohibited from discussing details of the shooting.
Khalaf also said the ministry was looking into six other fatal shootings involving the Moyock, N.C.-based company in which 10 Iraqis were killed and 15 wounded. Among the shootings was one Feb. 7 outside Iraqi state television in Baghdad that killed three building guards.
"These six cases will support the case against Blackwater, because they show that it has a criminal record," Khalaf said.
Khalaf said the report was "sent to the judiciary" although he would not specify whether that amounted to filing of criminal charges. Under Iraqi law, an investigating judge reviews criminal complaints and decides whether there is enough evidence for a trial.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh denied that authorities had decided to file charges against the Blackwater guards and said Saturday that no decision had been taken whether to seek punishment.
"The necessary measures will be taken that will preserve the honor of the Iraqi people," he said in New York, where al-Maliki arrived Friday for the U.N. General Assembly session. "We have ongoing high-level meetings with the U.S. side about this issue."
Al-Maliki is expected to raise the issue with Bush during a meeting Monday in New York.
It is doubtful that foreign security contractors could be prosecuted under Iraqi law. A directive issued by U.S. occupation authorities in 2004 granted contractors, U.S. troops and many other foreign officials immunity from prosecution under Iraqi law.
Security contractors are also not subject to U.S. military law under which U.S. troopers face prosecution for killing or abusing Iraqis.
Iraqi officials have said in the wake of the Nisoor Square shooting that they will press for amendments to the 2004 directive.
A senior aide to al-Maliki said Friday that three of the Blackwater guards were Iraqis and could be subject to prosecution. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.
Shortly after the Sept. 16 shooting, U.S. officials said they "understood" that there was videotape, but refused to give more details. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not supposed to release information to the media.
Following the Nisoor Square shooting, the Interior Ministry banned Blackwater from operating in Iraq but rolled back after the U.S. agreed to a joint investigation. The company resumed guarding a reduced number of U.S. convoys on Friday.
The al-Maliki aide said Friday that the Iraqis were pushing for an apology, compensation for victims or their families and for the guards involved in the shooting to be held "accountable."
Hadi al-Amri, a prominent Shiite lawmaker and al-Maliki ally, also said an admission of wrongdoing, an apology and compensation offered a way out of the dilemma.
"They are always frightened and that's why they shoot at civilians," al-Amri said. "If Blackwater gets to stay in Iraq, it will have to give guarantees about its conduct." [snip]
My guess is that if the video is not clear, then they'll get away with murder.
But, if the video is conclusive, I will bet it gets leaked and there will be hell to pay one way or another.
The mercenaries sent to Iraq by USA shows just what USA is really up to, i doubt that anyone will be charged with anything as USA seems to invade and bomb as its pleases and be above so called international law.
"Iraq is a War.
Afghanistan is an Occupation.
Suicide-Bombing is a Terrorism.
Guantanamo is a Concentration Camp.
Detention without Charge is an Inquisition."
[ Shaykh abdal qadir as sufi ]
www.shaykhabdalqadir.com
It would be nice if Blackwater got stung. Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Blackwater illegally smuggled weapons into Iraq and sold them to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a U.S.-designated "terrorist organization."
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says there's enough evidence to file charges. It is working with two former Blackwater employees that have “turned state’s evidence.”
True, Blackwater has direct personal connections with Bush, but so did Ken Lay of Enron.
Of course, even if Blackwater’s contract were “renegotiated," the State Department will simply give more work to Dyncorp or Triple Canopy.
Regardless, I think Iraqi retaliation againt mercs will be fierce, although we probably won't hear about it in the zio-media.
Not that anyone would care anyway. No one puts "support the mercs" bumper stickers on his car.
I'd like to hear more about this film.
judicial-inc.biz/iraqi_death_squads.htm
"Why Build A Death Squad?
The purpose of the death squads is to eliminate any potential leaders, so when the US leaves, and Israel installs it's puppets, there won't be any resistance. The US took the Sunnis out of power, and put the Shiites in charge of the Interior Ministry, which control the police.
MONSTER ZIONIST WOLFOWITZ
They followed up by blowing up Sunni shrines, and blaming the Shiites, which followed with car bombs on Shiite police stations. Both sides blamed each other blame, and this is the basis for the looming civil war.
The real control of Interior Ministry lies with the Mossad, and the upper echelon is mainly Israelis, and their mercenaries."