Looks like the State Department has sold out the very group of people who protect them. If you have a loved one who is a US contractor working in Iraq they will be subject to Iraqi judges and courts.

From Blackwater Facts:

The US and Iraqi governments reportedly have reached an agreement that would protect uniformed American military personnel from Iraqi prosecution except for serious crimes committed while not on duty, an arrangement similar to what the US has done in other countries.

But the State Department appears to have shot itself in the foot, at best, by not ensuring the same protections for the private contractors who do the job the military can’t or won’t do. Private security providers like Blackwater won’t be shielded from Iraq’s corrupt and dysfunctional “justice” system, according to news reports.

Also, it isn’t clear whether this new agreement could be retroactive. There are a number of defense contractors providing private security in Iraq so Blackwater contractors are not the only ones at risk here.

Previous post on SOFA – SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) in Iraq may expire 12/31/2008

Blackwater Facts has another post on this – US has Thrown DoD Contractors ‘Under the Bus,’ IPOA says

According to Bloomberg, “The Defense Department and State Department briefed their private contractors today on a provision of the so-called status- of-forces accord that eliminates contractors’ immunity from prosecution under Iraqi law. While the agreement applies to U.S. military operations, the State Department told its contractors today that Iraq will make them subject to the same rules.

“The provision is part of an agreement that would govern U.S. military operations in Iraq after a United Nations Security Council resolution expires on Dec. 31. About 28,000 of the 163,500 people employed as Pentagon contractors in Iraq are U.S. citizens,” and about 1,000 or so reportedly work for Blackwater as personal security detail professionals.

Iraq, SOFA, Defense Contractors, PSD, Personal Security Details, Blackwater, private contractors