Iraq could prosecute U.S. troops - msnbc.com

Draft pact: Iraq could prosecute U.S. troops - Conflict in Iraq- msnbc.com

With a new pact, which is in continued negotiations and a draft as we speak, Iraqi officials could charge and prosecute soldiers for actions which occur while not on missions or while off bases. This could have ramifications for those soldiers on covert "missions" which are later denied by the US government. Similar actions occurred during Vietnam when soldiers somehow ended up in Cambodia.

Again, this pact sends the message to soldiers that their actions have ramifications. Now that major combat has ceased, this action may offer direct consequences for soldiers acting outside of the scope of their powers. However, the problem still arises when soldiers are "told" to do certain acts and then it is later denounced by the US government. What message are we sending these soldiers? This message clearly tells soldiers to keep inside any information which burdens them. Thus, perpetuating the problem with a veteran suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Veterans cannot get better without being offered some sort of immunity for actions which are made under stressful situations or direct orders. Much of what goes on is on direct orders and later denounced. Have they considered offering a statute of limitations for prosecution of soldiers for actions that occurred during wartime? Maybe then, veterans would seek the treatment they so desperately need.

This pact is a bad idea, with good intentions.