U.S. Preparing for Influx of Compensation Claims by Abused Iraqis

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/22/politics/22COMP.html

Published: May 22, 2004


ASHINGTON, May 21 — The Pentagon is preparing for an influx of compensation claims stemming from the charges of abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, Defense Department officials said Friday.

So far, only two claims have been submitted related to allegations of prisoner abuse, one at Abu Ghraib and one at Camp Bucca, near Basra, one department official said. In those cases, both claimants said they had United States residency.

Since last June, the military has paid more than $2.5 million in compensation claims in Iraq, the official said. Most of those involved accidents or cases of negligence, "like when a tank runs over a garden," he said. Military leaders in the field were frequently given cash and wide latitude to distribute it among Iraqis injured in military operations.

Pentagon officials said they expected more claims to emerge as evidence continued to surface implicating American troops in the mistreatment of Iraqi detainees.

MORE -

Another unexpected cost of the War To Make Dick Cheney Rich.

:evilgrin:
dbt

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Well isn't that nice!

like when a tank runs over a garden :wtf:

- make me sick why doncha - -

What about a few thousand tons of bombs killing and maiming thousands ?

Is that not at least worth an "honorable mention" ?

I hope the Iraqis get one of the best litigators in the World and hit the WH, Pentagon and Military with one heck of a mass class-action suit.

Heck, the US could just give the Iraqis that extra 25 Billion they got in the new budget and just get the feck out of Iraq.

Now THAT would save alot of money and lives in the long run -

But that makes too much sense -

(sigh)

They are in open revolt against their oppressors, in a gorilla war to get regain their country.

I wonder who thinks these P.R. bullshit stories up anyway. This was meant for U.S. domestic consumption mostly I would bet

A lawsuit to get compensation for a barrage of missiles down on your wedding, an ambush on medical workers treating your wounded and atrocious torture to try turning the victims into informants does not sound like a place needing lawyers and litgation to me, just yet (especially when the arbitrators would or will be part of the same people committing the heinous acts)

My guess is the Iraqies will get their country back from the corporate thieves long before the people of the USA ever get theirs back

US CRUSADERS RAPE

Muslim women call for the release of Iraqi women held in jail in Iraq (news - web sites), during a demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in central London, May 22, 2004. REUTERS/David Bebber

First thing Rumsfeld did when it got caught is set up a "claims fund" for victims. Immediately, the stories started about how Iraqis will make up stories just to get the money.

This was a good strategic move to soften the impact of the torture scandals.