I have no idea what the video making its way around the 'net reveals, if anything. Who knows whether those were mostly warning shots, whether most of the cars really represented a threat (as opposed to the "trophy" shootings being suggested). Clearly there were some shootings recorded--but the video in and of itself should only being the starting point of a conversation.
And that conversation shouldn't be about a few purportedly sadistic contractors getting their jollies by shooting civilians. Maybe that happened and maybe it didn't. The bigger issue is the lack of accountability for contractors in Iraq.
Contractors exist is a legal grey zone. They have been granted immunity from Iraqi law. Nor are they subject to the Unfirom Code Military Justice. The Justice Department has the power to prosecute contractors for the U.S. abroad, but it hasn't exactly taken a forward stance with respect to contractors in Iraq (i.e. nobody has been prosecuted). That's not a question of sadism, it's a question policy. And it has real effects:
Capt Adnan Tawfiq of the Iraqi Interior Ministry which deals with compensation issues, has told the Sunday Telegraph that he has received numerous claims from families who allege that their relatives have been shot by private security contractors travelling in road convoys.
He said: "When the security companies kill people they just drive away and nothing is done. Sometimes we ring the companies concerned and they deny everything. The families don't get any money or compensation. I would say we have had about 50-60 incidents of this kind."
(Thanks: Laura)
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