U.S.-Iraq deal would whittle troops' immunity

[No Passaran]

Source: CNN

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S. troops or contractors who commit "major and premeditated murders" in Iraq while off-duty and outside U.S. facilities would fall under Iraqi jurisdiction, according to a copy of a draft U.S.-Iraq agreement obtained by CNN.

All other crimes -- including murders committed inside U.S. facilities or by on-duty forces -- would fall under American jurisdiction, according to the draft, which would govern U.S. troops' presence in Iraq.

The issue of whether U.S. troops would remain immune from Iraqi prosecution has been a sticky one for negotiators crafting the Status of Forces Agreement draft, which Iraqi lawmakers are reviewing. The United States had preferred its troops and contractors retain immunity.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/10/19/iraq.troop.agreement/index.html

[IndianaGreen]

1. No immunity for Blackwater mercenaries either!

Didn't we claim that Iraq is a sovereign nation?

[carla]

3. NO IMMUNITY FOR MURDERERS!

Kill an innocent, go to jail! I don't give a rat's ass that it is done in uniform, murder is murder.

[LynnTheDem]

2. The Iraqi people don't want this SOFA. They want us gone from their nation.

Can't blame them, they didn't want us invading them in the first place.

Don't allow your puppet govt to sign this SOFA, people of Iraq.

You will regret it for decades if you do.

[endthewar]

4. It's good to see the Iraqi parliament standing up to its executive branch

I bet Bush never thought that this would happen. It's also embarrassing for the Republican Party to be trying to shove money and resources down the Iraqis' throats. So much for being a party of self-help.

[dhpgetsit]

5. Hello? It's called sovereignty!

I thought we were supposed to help them stand up on their own.
Mission accomplished. Bring the troops home already.