Via TPM:
The metaphorical statue of L. Paul Bremer III has come crashing down. Today the Iraqi government formally revoked one of the Coalition Provisional Authority’s enduring vestiges — a decree of immunity from prosecution in Iraqi courts for U.S. security contractors.
“The cabinet held a meeting yesterday and decided to scrap the article pertaining to security companies operating in Iraq that was issued by the CPA (Coalition Provision Authority) in 2004,” government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement.
“It has decided to present a new law regarding this issue which will be taken in the next cabinet meeting.” Read more…
In a related development, The BBC is reporting that the State Department official in charge of contractor oversight has resigned.
The State Department official responsible for overseeing Blackwater USA and other private security contractors in Iraq resigned abruptly today.
Richard J. Griffin, who has been the director of the department’s diplomatic security bureau since June 2005, faced stiff criticism from Congress over his handling of a Sept. 16 shooting episode involving Blackwater that left 17 Iraqis dead and other acts of violence by the State Department’s security guards.
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When they step up, we can step down. (Of course we vacated this responsibility a long time ago.)
Finally! Iraqis are acting like a soverign nation: Revoking immunity, and ensuring people are subject to the law. Isn’t democracy a great thing, George Bush: People are required to follow the law, not remain above it.
Well, this isn’t a good thing either, though. Talk about kangaroo courts…
Perhaps we should leave?
let the iraqi’s waterboard blackwater. it’s not like it’s torture or anything.
It is a good step for the Iraqis to take though, I meant to add.
Now we’ll see if Bush is serious about wanting this new government in Iraq succeed (and we all know he’s not).
Richard J. Griffin is former Secret Service person/Presidential Protection. The abysmal treatment of Iraqis under Griffin’s contractors a reason why Secret Service abused American citizens/kept them in pens. If Griffing couldn’t get oversight right for Iraq, what was goign on with Secret Service/Treasury in US? Oh, that’s right — Treasury is under DHS, and we’re not allowed to think about illegal/abusive DHS conduct are we . . .
Close the barn door, please.
Better than taking another vacation, I guess. But they’ll all be lucky to be alive two years from now.
Good for Richard Griffin for his resignation! That is what public servants that do a lousy job are supposed to do.
Now if he could get the message into the other tyrants empty skulls all the way up to the White House and get them to resign it would nice.
I will now take off the rose colored glasses.
Amy Goodman reported today that the leader of the squad that did that l’il shootout in Sept (killing 17) is already out of the country.
Looks like the puppet (government) is stating to dance without strings. And it’s not dancing to Bush’s song on this one.
What further “surprises” await us?
But Iraqs a colony-plantation of the Bush Family, new proud owners of 26 million. Certainly they won’t let talk like this stand?
You break it you own it right?
Attention, Blackwater employees!
Please report to the roof of the embassy immediately!
Griffin Bio: See #7 above; note Secret Service background in bio.
God should bless the people of Iraq too.
Just because.
Griffin is listed as an IG for the Veterans Administration. Uh….is that something to be proud of?
Hey, a big ol’ purple thumbs-up to the Iraqis!
If Mr. Official Overseeing Contractors can’t have it his way, he’ll just pick up his marbles and go home.
Does this mean we have to re-invade Iraq and start all over again until the Iraqis get it right? I don’t think this is what Bremmer and Rumsfeld plus Cheney, had in mind. This isn’t the way it was supposed to work. Now the Iraqis are making the calls and the calls don’t match the plan.
Seriously, if I were a blackwater agent, I’d be on a plane home right now.
Here are some details on the diplomatic protection functions while Griffin was at State. The man has a management degree; and was awarded an honorary doctorate. How did someone “with his qualifications” let this sitaution spiral out of control?
As a graduate of the Natioanl War College, he whould have been familiar with the laws of war, Geneva, and obligations to ensure that US contractors conducted their affairs consistent with the laws of war. What is his excuse?
>God should bless the people of Iraq too.
Just because.
>God
should blessHELP the people of IraqI’m sure the blackwater mercenaries will not have a problem spending time in an Iraqi jail….since, as we all know, water boarding, rendition, sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme cold, and naked pyramids are not forms of torture.
can you smell the democracy coming? can ye?
Ambassador Richard J. Griffin
Wonder how much cash he stuffed into Bushes coffer to get that gig?
I’m happy to see the rule of law honored in Iraq. Now if we could just make some strides in that direction here….
Look. Our babie’s growing up.
pissed off patricia @ 18:
If I were also, I’d be sitting next to you.
I’ll be curious to see how the administration handles this now. Seems like it has been time to leave for a long time now, and except for our draft-dodging idiot in chief, we probably would have if the Generals were listened to, or if the Guidlines of the Iraq Study Group wer followed.
Has anyone contacted Blackwater to find out when they, err I mean, the insurgents will blow up the Iraqi cabinet responsible for these outrageous crimes against corporate entities?
Something else with State Department and security: One of the issues is the Terremark-related embassy communications.
A. FISA
FISA prohibits not only illegal collection, but subsequent uses of that illegally captured information: What Role did Griffin — if any — playing keeping quite the US State Department use of fiber optic interception to share information — illegally obtained through FISA violations — between embassies and State Department contractors, an alleged subsequent violation of FISA?
B. Email Archiving
This falls under the diplomatic communication services: How many of the “deleted RNC e-mails” are archived in the DTS system; or was someone like Griffin aware that they were not being archived, as required under the Presidential records act?
Bob in N. Thailand @ 26:
Uh, I think I’d be on a plane somewhere else…. With a different last name and a really good disguise.
Wow Says: Finally! Iraqis are acting like a soverign nation: Revoking immunity, and ensuring people are subject to the law. Isn’t democracy a great thing, George Bush: People are required to follow the law, not remain above it.
My guess is that the Cheney’s people will tell Malaki that they are not allowed to do anything with regard to Blackwater. If Blackwater leaves, more US troops will be called up - and they aren’t any left to go. Nope, this will not stand because Iraq is really not a soverign government. It is a puppet of the Executive branch. Mr Bush sells us the fact that they are independant, but they are not. Malaki disappears is 5 - 4 -3 - 2 - 1…
I’ll bet it the White House is an even less happy place today. George is NOT going to be in a good mood when he gets home! About time someone in the Iraqi Government grew a spine. Maybe the Dems will take the example and start impeachment proceedings? I guy can wish can’t he?
ashes ashes all fall down
Me likey. However, that’s gonna make war cost mucho mas… Hopefully, that will be more reason to stop the war, but who knows…
sigh…. Best War Ever, guys?? [Deleted]
Good riddance asshole.
Doesn’t want the job unless he has immunity, huh?
Wow @ 7:
I don’t think Treasury is “under” DHS. I believe Treasury is a cabinet-level department unto itself.
If three of us scattered all over the world are thinking the blackwater guys better hit the road, or in this, case sky, imagine what the real guys must be thinking along about now. Their asses have just been made major targets. The Iraqis hate them and our soldiers do to. Before no one could touch them, that has now all changed. I doubt anyone would tattle on anyone who did anything to them.
looks like it’s time for regime change again. . .
swarmofkillermonkeys @ 3:
I won’t take that as an insult.
Well, dick Cheney is not going to like this development. Not one little bit.
I bet some of the Iraqi govt will receive a strong invitation to visit the white house real soon. And I doubt they are being asked over to watch a football game and have cocktails.
good point Roo. And whatever makes him grimace makes me smile.
Wait… everything makes him grimace..
Perhaps they can make this retroactive and start holding the contractors accountable for all the atrocities they’ve been responsible for lo, these past 4 years. Retroactive laws are in line with Bush’s philosophy as I recall.
Richard J. Griffin, who has been the director of the department’s diplomatic security bureau since June 2005, faced stiff criticism from Congress over his handling of a Sept. 16 shooting episode involving Blackwater that left 17 Iraqis dead and other acts of violence by the State Department’s security guards.
w’s next medal of freedom winner.
That’s OK. There’s always a place in the Middle East for Blackwater. Iran?
Ouch. Demacracy smarts.
Fanon @ 29:
Fanon, I have this picture in my mind of you on a plane with a set of plastic gasses with no lenses and a fake mustache attached wit a Blackwater helmet on. ;^)
Nope, you can’t fly these days with ” a set of plastic gasses” ;)
Great news for all. Combined with the growing low moral of our soldiers in Iraq doing “Search and Avoid” for apparently a long time may have been an “anti war” message also: http://tinyurl.com/35t7ef
Just llike Nam, MSM hasn’t been getting it right and it takes independent sources to get the word out as well as Patriotic soldiers.
Geez, is this a good sign or what?
I’m selling my Halliburton stock.
Captain Kangaroo @ 46:
Considering that I am a woman, the mustache might be a bit much ;)
swarmofkillermonkeys @ 3:
Yes, we should leave….no PERHAPS about it.
pissed off patricia @ 47:
LOL!
This is it, folks. The beginning of the end. It’s become obvious that the Bush Admin is using Blackwater and other unaccountable contractors to loot both the Iraqi nation and the United States Treasury.
Without that incentive there’s no reason to stay. And by the way apparently no ability.
Time for Congress to jump on that little fuck Erik Prince and start asking him where the FUCK all OUR MONEY went.