Nisoor Square
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that Iraqi authorities want the U.S. government to sever all contracts in Iraq with Blackwater USA within six months. They also want the firm to pay $8 million in compensation to the families of each of the 17 people killed when its guards opened fire with a heavy machine gun last month at Nisoor Square, in an upscale section of Baghdad.
The fiasco began when a Blackwater gunner opened fire on an approaching white car, instantly killing the medical student who was driving. The car kept moving, so Blackwater gunners shot at it some more, killing the mother of the student. A ten-year-old boy in the car behind the white car was also killed.
The other 14 civilians were apparently killed when four Blackwater vehicles were called to the traffic circle and began shooting without provocation.
Apparently, Blackwater has been operating without a license in Iraq since June 2, 2006, so it has no immunity from prosecution. Iraq wants the shooters to be turned over for trial.
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