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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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February 8th,
2008 - Blackwater’s Blood Money; How Much for a Dead Son? |
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Blackwater’s
Blood Money; How Much for a Dead Son? Blackwater Works Behind the Scenes to Settle With Survivors and
Victims’ Families of the Sept. 16 Shooting By Aadel Faiq & Brian Ross ABC News February 8, 2008 The father of a 9-year-old
Iraqi boy killed by Blackwater security guards says the company has offered
to build a monument and make an unspecified cash payment to compensate him
for the death of his son, Ali. The boy was one of 17
civilians killed when Blackwater security guards, escorting a diplomatic
convoy, opened fire at Baghdad's Nisour square Sept. 16. While a federal grand jury
in Washington, D.C. investigates the deaths, Blackwater has been operating
behind the scenes in Iraq to settle with the survivors and families of the
dead. Officials familiar with the
case told ABCNews.com that Blackwater had resisted U.S. government demands
that the company pay at least $100,000 per death, claiming the U.S.
government has not paid that much in similar situations in Iraq. Iraqi prosecutors reportedly
are urging Blackwater to pay at least between $20,000 and $80,000. The dead boy's father,
Mohammed Abdul Razak, told ABCNews.com he had been approached by an Iraqi
prosecutor who conveyed Blackwater's offer. Razak said the company was
offering to build a monument in the square to all of the victims, pay medical
costs for those injured and make cash payments. A Blackwater spokesperson
declined comment but pointed to a U.S. government document indicating U.S.
personnel would help with the distribution of "condolence
payments." The document states
"such payments will be based on Iraqi cultural norms and will not be
viewed as an admission of guilt." Another victim, Adel Jabur
Shamma, says he too has been contacted by an Iraqi judge who assured him
Blackwater would cover his medical expenses. Shamma says he cannot understand
why it has taken so long for Blackwater to help him. He says he has been
bed-ridden and is nearly handicapped after being shot in both legs during the
incident. As ABCNews.com has reported,
the federal grand jury criminal investigation is focusing on two or three
Blackwater guards who opened fire, claiming they perceived a threat. Other Blackwater guards have
testified to federal agents, however, they saw no such threat. Several of the Iraqi
families have already filed lawsuits against Blackwater in U.S. courts,
alleging Blackwater guards were guilty of "war crimes." External link: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4256679&page=1 |