immunity for oil companies in Iraq

["Devine, James" <jdevine@xxxxxxx>]

>From MS SLATE's on-line summary of major US newspapers today:
>The LA [TIMES] goes inside with word of concerns over an executive order
signed by President Bush two months ago that may give U.S. oil
companies blanket immunity from lawsuits and criminal prosecution
over the sale of Iraqi oil. "As written, the executive order
cancels the rule of law for oil companies," a lawyer for the
non-profit Government Accountability Project says. According to
the group, the measure cancels out liability--even if it\'s proved
that the companies committed human rights violations or caused
environmental damage in the course of their Iraqi-related
business. The White House, however, says the immunity won\'t be
that broad--and instead protects "the Iraqi people\'s money" since
profits from the sales will go into rebuilding the country. <

Jim