WP: Contractor Immunity a Divisive Issue

[kskiska]

Interim Government Resists U.S. Proposal to Exempt Foreigners From Iraqi Law

Monday, June 14, 2004; Page A01

BAGHDAD, June 13 -- In an early test of its imminent sovereignty, Iraq's new government has been resisting a U.S. demand that thousands of foreign contractors here be granted immunity from Iraqi law, in the same way as U.S. military forces are now immune, according to Iraqi sources.

The U.S. proposal, although not widely known, has touched a nerve with some nationalist-minded Iraqis already chafing under the 14-month-old U.S.-led occupation. If accepted by Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, it would put the highly visible U.S. foreign contractors into a special legal category, not subject to military justice and beyond the reach of Iraq's justice system.

The U.S. request, confirmed Sunday by Allawi's office, is one of a number of delicate issues revolving around government authority that will confront the incoming U.S. ambassador, John D. Negroponte, when Allawi's interim government assumes formal sovereignty June 30.

Although the Bush administration repeatedly has promised that Iraqis will receive authentic sovereignty, the U.S. military has made it clear that U.S. officers will remain in charge of security, the country's top concern. People here widely assume that U.S. influence will remain decisive for a long time in almost every domain.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39159-2004Jun13.html

[saigon68]

1. MERCENARY IMMUNITY

As in O.K. Rag heads "You ain't doing SQUAT" to our MERCENARIES

[CharlesGroce]

2. only divisive between...

common sense and corporate anticulpability interests! An easy win for the American system of justice if you ask me, but then, don't ask a bureaucrat that question, he's likely to determine that some people shouldn't be bound by laws that 'apply.'

[LittleApple81]

3. The gall of these people... but I bet the Iraqis might be less of

a pushover than Americans have been.

[struggle4progress]

4. Maybe they'll extend corporate immunities here at home soon, too.

Quick! Get some lawyers on it:

1. POTUS is above the law.
2. The rest of the Administration is above the law.
3. All their good corporate buddies are also above the law ...

[daleo]

5. Extra-territoriality

A classic feature of imperialism, and one that has always caused immense resentment in the subject nation.

[struggle4progress]

6. kick

:kick: