(Supreme) Court steps into case involving Iraq (is Iraqi gov't immune from US lawsuits?)

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether the Iraqi government has immunity in American courts for the acts of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Foreign nations usually are immune from lawsuits in U.S. courts, but federal law strips that protection from countries that support terrorism. Under Saddam, Iraq was considered a state sponsor of terrorism.

But the Iraqi government, backed by the Bush administration, says the U.S.-led invasion that deposed Saddam and a federal law enacted in 2003 restored Iraq's immunity to lawsuits in American courts.

Americans suing Iraq include CBS News correspondent Bob Simon, who was held for more than a month during the Gulf War in 1991.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gMmB1hSQZXPkxkkDUTZjnlJ6PHXgD95JPN680

[sinkingfeeling]

1. A better question would be if Iraqis can sue the US government for the destruction of life and

property via our invasion and occupation.

[IndianaGreen]

3. I think we owe Iraq far more than they owe us

Far more damage was done to Iraq than it was done to a few tort-happy greedy Americans.

[ManiacJoe]

2. How would any US court have jurisdiction in the first place?