Shame on the State Department

[babylonsister]

http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,155130,00.html

Shame on the State Department
Andrew Lubin | October 30, 2007

Yesterday's announcement that the State Department gave immunity to the Blackwater contractors accused in the Sept. 16 killings came as a shock. With CENTCOM already on record reporting that their investigation found "no enemy activity involved" and both the Republican and Democrats awaiting the results of the FBI investigation, the State Department's immunity grant was a thumb in the eye of both the American justice system and the Iraqi government Secretary Rice claims to assist.

As usual in this administration, there is no accountability. It's unknown beyond the inner circle at State who granted the immunity or whose idea it was. Rice had no comment on the matter, although it should be noted that Richard Griffith, the head of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, resigned suddenly and without comment last week. Rumors suggest the immunity was his idea.

The immunity has stymied the FBI investigation, and the agents involved are now returning to the United States. With much of the available evidence being declared off-limits and most of the Blackwater employees refusing to talk to them, the FBI is reduced, "Law and Order-style," to finding alternate and round-about ways of discovering the truth.

To date no State Department official has been allowed to be quoted by name, much to the fury of both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Iraqi Government. Neither will State even cleanly confirm or deny whether immunity has been offered or not; there are contradictory statements being presented by various anonymous State Department officials.

The only decisive response has been that of the Iraqi Parliament, who voted Tuesday to overturn L. Paul Bremer's Decree No. 17, which gave Coalition private contractors in Iraq immunity from Iraqi law. According to Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh, the Iraqi Government spokesman, the new law holds that "all security companies will be subjected to the Iraqi civil and penal law and must obey all the country's legal regulations such as registration, customs, residency, taxes, visa, etc."

This type of news could not come at a worse time for American - Iraqi relations. For the Administration and the State Department to jeopardize the success of the Surge to date and the efforts of the troops on the ground in this callous display of disdain and ineptitude goes beyond stupid. It is time for Secretary Rice to take control of her department and demand the same degree of accountability and professionalism that America receives daily from its Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen.



Copyright 2007 Andrew Lubin. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.

[maddezmom]

1. Scott McCormack from State:Immunity deals 'routine' for contractors

Immunity deals 'routine' for contractors By LARA JAKES JORDAN and MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press Writers
2 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - Limited immunity has been routinely offered to private security contractors involved in shootings in Iraq, State Department officials said Tuesday, denying such actions jeopardized criminal prosecution of Blackwater USA guards accused of killing 17 Iraqi civilians.


State Department spokesman Sean McCormack declined to discuss specifics of the agency's role in the investigation, but said any immunity deals should not stop the Justice Department from prosecuting.

"It's up to the investigators and prosecutors to determine what kind of case they have ... and ultimately whether to bring prosecution," McCormack told reporters.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071030/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/blackwater_prosecutions;_ylt=AsiH4SuX4q1TdzD7Dry44MMD5gcF

[babylonsister]

2. Oh, please. Can he backpeddle any faster? nt