Schakowsky Statement on Indictment of Blackwater Guards

SCHAKOWSKY STATEMENT ON INDICTMENT OF BLACKWATER GUARDS

Washington, D.C.–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, released the following statement today after the U.S. Justice Department charged five Blackwater security guards for killing 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians and wounding 20 others in the September 16, 2007 shooting Baghdad's Nisoor Square. Each of the guards has been charged with 14 counts of voluntary manslaughter, 20 counts of attempt to commit manslaughter, and one count of using and discharging a firearm. In addition, a sixth Blackwater security guard pleaded guilty on December 5, 2008 to charges of voluntary manslaughter and attempt to commit manslaughter for his involvement in the September 16th shooting.

"I'm glad that the Justice Department finally indicted the Blackwater guards that were involved in the September 16th shooting, but I am disappointed that it took over a year and significant pressure for the Department to take any action. While it is important to hold these individual contractors accountable for their actions, we must also hold Blackwater accountable for creating a culture that breeds this type of reckless and illegal behavior. These contractors could spend the rest of their lives in jail if they are convicted, but Blackwater will probably not even receive a slap on the wrist for its role in this and other incidents. Today's indictments do nothing to solve the underlying problem of private security contractors performing critical government functions. The indictments will likely get rid of a few bad apples, but there will be no real consequences for Blackwater. This company could continue to do business as usual — the solution is to get them out of this business....