House confronts contractor immunity

WASHINGTON – Congress is moving to update a law that has kept Blackwater USA and other private security contractors in Iraq immune to criminal prosecution. The White House contends the change could cause new problems.

The House was expected to pass legislation today by Rep. David Price, D-N.C., that would extend the criminal jurisdiction of U.S. courts to any federal contractor working alongside military operations. Senate Democratic leaders said they planned to follow suit as soon as possible and send the measure to President Bush.

The legislation comes amid a string of allegations involving Blackwater employees hired by the State Department to protect diplomatic personnel in Iraq.

In one case, a drunk Blackwater employee left a Christmas eve party in Baghdad and fatally shot the guard of one of Iraq’s vice presidents. The contractor was fired, fined and returned home to the United States; no charges have been filed.

More recently, Blackwater guards were involved in a Sept. 16 shootout that left at least 11 Iraqis dead. The FBI is investigating. It is unclear whether charges can be brought against any of the contractors. Federal officials cite murky laws governing the conduct of U.S. personnel abroad not hired directly by the military.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters traveling with him in South America that a Pentagon review team has recommended the military have more control over contractors and that private security guards fall under the military code of justice in some cases.