EDITORIAL: Questions about U.S.-Iraq agreement

If in fact an American contractor, or American service man commits, for example, rape or murder, in Iraq why should they not be subject to Iraq law. If an Iraqi raped or murdered in th US they would be prosecuted in the US and subject to US law not sent home for prosecution.

I am a contractor here in SWA and I have served in Iraq as a contractor for a year and I would prefer to be tried by the US and not the Middle Easern countries. As their law presumes guilt first then prove your innocence I feel the American system is more fair. Also, other posters need to understand that the SOFA(status of forces agreements) ensure that the contractors will face procescution if they commit a crime.

This would be truly an interesting case if President Bush allows even a decision on prosecution of American soldiers and citizens under Iraqi law while terrorists are given U.S. habeas corpus rights. The first question that arises is what happens when U.S. rules of engagement come into conflict with Iraqi law. We burden our soldiers and contractors with rules of engagement in split second survival decisions and then allow Iraqi law to judge? As General Petraeus said, a resurgence of Al Qaeda is always a contingency we plan against. Administrating Sharih law in the extreme has the death penalty for violating Muslim belief's as we have seen with the Taliban. Do we want our people subject to that as time evolves political change? Anything within the agreement but an absolute no would our soldiers and citizens at serious risk for a resurgent insurgency.

If service personnel can be tried in Iraqi courts then service in Iraq should be on a volunteer basis only.

Come on guys wake up!!! Time to leave!! Hello McFly! They don't want us there. They will NEVER be our ally. They will be grateful in words only and stab us in the back in their actions. We were schmucks for doing this. Face reality and lets stop making this mistake and go on to making new mistakes.