Blackwater granted immunity for civilian killings

Once again, the Bush administration proves its track record of providing immunity and escape routes to those screwing up under their watch. The Associated Press reports on the routine immunity granted to private contractors that is interfering with the investigation into the killings of 17 Iraqi civilians, causing an uproar in the Iraqi government:

The immunity deals, first reported by The Associated Press, have delayed the U.S. criminal inquiry of the Sept. 16 shootings that has enraged Iraqis.

Senior law enforcement officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, said the legal protections offered by the State Department could derail prosecution if investigators are unable to unearth other evidence from a crime scene now six weeks old.

In Baghdad, the Iraqi government approved draft legislation lifting immunity for foreign private security companies — one of the nation's most serious disputes with the U.S. since last month's shooting. Iraq is demanding the right to launch its own prosecution of the Blackwater bodyguards despite the company's insistence they acted in self-defense.

Initial reports and investigations have found that the attacks on the Iraqi civilians by Blackwater contractors were unprovoked and in violation of applicable Iraqi laws. The immunity deals that have been extended prevent official reports and statements from being used as evidence against the Blackwater agents involved.

The Bush administration can't seriously consider further protecting Blackwater in the face of mounting evidence pointing to the atrocities committed by Blackwater in Iraq. Blackwater's actions speak of exactly the kind of evil America has long claimed they've been fighting, and protecting these mercenaries will only further expose American hypocrisy and lead to even more resentment abroad, further helping terrorist cells in their recruitment efforts.