Terms: mercenaries
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• Social Studies > Current Events Archives > Politics > USA 2009

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1. Mercenaries for the U.S. Not Accountable for Crimes (MSNBC News)
   "There is great confusion among legal experts and military officials about what laws — if any — apply to Americans in this [private military] force [in Iraq] of at least 48,000."
   
   "They operate in a decidedly gray legal area. Unlike soldiers, they are not bound by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Under a special provision secured by American-occupying forces, they are exempt from prosecution by Iraqis for crimes committed there."
   
   " 'I understand this is war,' said Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., whose efforts for greater contractor accountability led to an amendment in next year’s Pentagon spending bill. 'But that’s absolutely no excuse for letting this very large force of armed private employees, dare I say mercenaries, run around without any accountability to anyone.' " 08-07