Reply #11: Obama did "go after" Blackwater as reported in this article & his letter to Secretary Rice...

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http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/10/obama_goes_after_blackwater.html

Obama goes after Blackwater
Posted October 3, 2007 3:03 PM

by John McCormick

IOWA CITY –Sen. Barack Obama charged today that a private security firm operating in Iraq has acted "with reckless disregard to Iraqi life," as he called his proposals to better monitor such contractors the toughest reforms offered by any candidate in the presidential race.

Although Obama has previously mentioned Blackwater USA, the Illinois Democrat drew greater attention to the firm's actions in an extended discussion on the University of Iowa's campus.

"Most contractors act as if the law doesn't apply to them," he said. "Under my plan, if contractors break the law, they will be prosecuted."

In announcing his "Security Contractor Accountability Plan," Obama said he would like to see greater transparency on contractor hiring and costs.

"I've proposed tougher government reforms than any other candidate in this race – reforms that would eliminate the kind of no-bid contracts that this administration has given to Blackwater," he said.

A new congressional report suggested Blackwater employees engaged in nearly 200 shootings in Iraq since 2005, with a vast majority cases being shootings from moving vehicles.

Obama said he would create an entire FBI unit that would be charged with investigating such incidents.

"Given the attention these scandals have generated we can no longer plead ignorance," Obama said.

..........

This is the letter posted on Obama Senate website about this to Secretary Rice:

http://obama.senate.gov/press/071030-obama_demands_a_2/

Obama Demands Answers on Blackwater Immunity Deal
Tuesday, October 30, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, United States Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) sent the following letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice demanding answers on reports that State Department officials offered Blackwater guards immunity from prosecution, which may hinder a criminal investigation into the September shooting that killed at least 17 Iraqis.

Obama has introduced legislation in the Senate to make private security contractors in Iraq subject to federal criminal law; this bill has already passed the House. Obama has also called for the head of Blackwater to testify before the Senate. In February, Obama introduced comprehensive legislation to increase oversight on private security contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan; part of his legislation requiring reporting to Congress on the role of contractors passed the Senate last month.

Below is a copy of the letter:

Dear Secretary Rice:

I am deeply troubled by news reports that the State Department promised guards employed by Blackwater USA immunity from prosecution as part of the Department's initial investigation into the September 16 shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians.

The seriousness of this incident - and its effect on the American military's reputation in Iraq - necessitates the prosecution of the appropriate Blackwater personnel if they are found to have committed crimes. However, a full investigation and prosecution will be difficult when all of the Blackwater guards - both in the vehicle convoy involved in the shooting and the helicopters above - were apparently given immunity by investigators from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, an arm of the State Department. According to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation said, "Once you give immunity, you can't take it away."

Although this matter has now been turned over from the State Department to the FBI, prosecutors will have to prove that any evidence they use in bringing charges against Blackwater guards was uncovered independently without using the guards' statements to Bureau of Diplomatic Security investigators. As any prosecutor knows, this is not impossible, but it is extremely difficult.

Because the decision to give immunity to Blackwater guards was a serious one and may potentially jeopardize any prosecution of those involved, I ask that you respond to the following questions:

1) Were you aware of the decision to provide immunity to Blackwater guards? If not, who made this decision?

2) Was the FBI or the Justice Department consulted before immunity was provided to Blackwater guards?

3) Do you agree with the decision to provide immunity to Blackwater guards?

I ask you to provide responses to these questions by November 6, 2007. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama
United States Senator