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Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: US team meets Iraqis over Blackwater shooting By QASSIM ABDULZAHRA,Associated Press Writer AP - 33 minutes ago BAGHDAD - American prosecutors met with Iraqis in Baghdad on Saturday to discuss the case against the Blackwater Worldwide guards indicted in the fatal September 2007 shooting in the city's Nisoor Square. Five Blackwater guards were indicted this week on manslaughter and other charges for their roles in the shooting that left 17 Iraqi civilians dead. A sixth guard reached a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid a mandatory 30-year prison sentence. The U.S. team held talks with Iraq's National Police commander Lt. Gen. Hussein al-Awadi, then went into a meeting with relatives of those killed and survivors. "The aim of our visit is to meet the families of the victims and explain the charges that have been filed in the United States and to make ourselves available to any questions they might have," U.S. prosecutor Kenneth Kohl told reporters at the police headquarters in Baghdad. He outlined the charges against the Blackwater guards in a straightforward statement and refused to take questions afterward. The visit underscored intense American efforts to show the Iraqis that the case is being taken seriously by the U.S. judicial system after earlier calls for those responsible to face Iraqi justice. The Sept. 16, 2007 shooting of Iraqi civilians in heavy traffic at the central traffic circle sparked international condemnation, launched U.S. congressional hearings and inspired anti-American insurgent propaganda. The incident also became a flashpoint for Iraqis long angered over what they perceived as heavy-handed behavior by private security contractors, who enjoyed blanket immunity. A new U.S.-Iraqi security pact that takes effect on Jan. 1 lifts security guard immunity, although it will be retained for on-duty American troops and contractors working with them. Victims of the shooting are demanding financial compensation as well as punishment for the shooters. "My husband was looking for a job at the square that day. When he reached the square, the security members killed him," said Milad Khalil, whose husband Odai Ismael was killed in the incident. "My two girls need money to cover the elementary school expenses." Adel Jabr, who was wounded at Nisoor Square, said he wants punishment for the guards and compensation for his suffering. "I have undergone several surgeries including skin grafts," he said. "I am spending most of time lying in bed. I have a family to feed, but I cannot work. We want to be treated the same way that U.S. citizens are treated." Younis Khudhair Abbas, whose uncle and cousin were killed at the square, said family members were told not to discuss details of the meeting because their comments that might be used by the defense. "I'm comfortable about the process of the trial in America," Abbas said. "We asked to be sent to America to attend the trial. We also asked for compensation. After meeting with the prosecutors, we became more hopeful of good results and we got the feeling that the American administration is honest." But Wisam Rahim, who also attended the meeting, said he wanted to see the guards executed. "I took a cover and saw a woman trying to help her fatally wounded son and husband," he said. "Blackwater vehicles and helicopters were firing at us. I demand that these guards be executed. We want to see justice done." Witnesses and an Iraqi investigation said the shooting on Nisoor Square was unprovoked, but Blackwater _ the largest U.S. security contractor in Iraq _ has said the guards were acting in self-defense after they were ambushed. The five men have been charged with 14 counts of manslaughter, 20 counts of attempted manslaughter and one count of using a machine gun to commit a crime of violence. The machine gun charge, typically used in drug cases, carries a 30-year minimum prison sentence. A sixth Blackwater guard struck a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to killing one Iraqi and wounding another. "If convicted on all counts ... a 30-year mandatory minimum. But the potential sentence is up to life in prison," Kohl said, explaining the sentence would be up to the judge. Iraqi investigators found that 17 Iraqis were killed in the assault. Assistant Attorney General Patrick Rowan said earlier this week in announcing the indictments that evidence in the case could only prove the guards shot 14, although he left open the possibility of future charges. The Moyock, North Carolina-based Blackwater Worldwide was not charged in the case and has said it stands behind the guards despite being "extremely disappointed and surprised" that one had pleaded guilty. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: World Mugabe's party raises threat of fresh Zimbabwe pollsAFP - 20 minutes ago US team meets Iraqis over Blackwater shootingAP - 33 minutes ago India navy arrests 23 pirates in Gulf of AdenAP - 41 minutes ago Obama names NY housing commissioner to head HUDAP - 54 minutes ago The Nation's WeatherAP - 54 minutes ago Most Popular – World Viewed US carmakers mull options as White House vows aid US Senate fails to reach deal on auto bailout Autism, other disorders linked to post-natal factors: study Muslim pilgrims stone Satan at the hajj Sarcasm finds medical use in dementia detection View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

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