U.S. denies Iraqis compensation for civilian casualties

Star Tribune

The families of thousands of Iraqi civilians killed or injured by U.S. forces will not receive compensation unless they prove clear-cut negligence or wrongdoing by troops, military officials said Sunday.

The policy rules out payments for tragic mistakes, such as the fatal shootings of civilians at military checkpoints, if the troops believed it was reasonable to fire. And incidents after May 1, when President Bush declared the end of major fighting, could still be regarded as combat-related and therefore ineligible for compensation, the officials said.

"How much is an injury worth? How much is a life worth?" said one official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "It all depends on the value of a life in Iraq. The value of a life in Iraq is probably a lot less than it would be in the U.S. or Britain."

Sunday's briefing highlighted inconsistencies in the handling of compensation payments: In the city of Fallujah, where U.S. soldiers killed 18 people and wounded 78 in April, the U.S. commander in the area has been paying $1,500 for each fatality and $500 for each injury, the Associated Press reported. The commander was apparently using discretionary funds supplied for his operations. ---

"The value of a life in Iraq is probably a lot less than it would be in the U.S. or Britain."

what a loathsome quote. $1500.

SUPPORT THE TROOPS! God bless America!

Iraqis are dying. Their lives are thought worthless, their blood cheap. And there's no accountability.

When some of these trigger-happy, death-dealing jittery kids return home, I have no doubt they'll place a deflated value on American lives too.

Oh, wait, yes I can. America Uber Alles... I keep forgetting.