The US has sidelined the UN Security council, world opinion... and even the so-called "sovereign" government of Iraq, to unilaterally declare US troops IMMUNE from prosecution for killing Iraqis! So much for Iraqi independence and sovereignty, so much for international law, so much for decency.

Mark Vallen


U.S. Immunity In Iraq Will Go Beyond June 30

By Robin Wright

Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 24, 2004

The Bush administration has decided to take the unusual step of bestowing on its own troops and personnel immunity from prosecution by Iraqi courts for killing Iraqis or destroying local property after the occupation ends and political power is transferred to an interim Iraqi government, U.S. officials said.

The administration plans to accomplish that step -- which would bypass the most contentious remaining issue before the transfer of power -- by extending an order that has been in place during the year-long occupation of Iraq. Order 17 gives all foreign personnel in the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority immunity from "local criminal, civil and administrative jurisdiction and from any form of arrest or detention other than by persons acting on behalf of their parent states...

... the full story can be read at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A757-2004Jun23.html