Blackwater's owner Erik Prince blames the State Department

For not defending his company during the recent media focus. And he will not let his employees stand trial for misdeeds because there is no functional Iraqi justice system:

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - In the latest development in the fallout of a September 16 shooting incident in a busy Baghdad square, a defiant Erik Prince, Chairman and founder of Blackwater USA, said Tuesday that he intends to shield his employees from the Iraqi justice system.

"We will not let our people be taken by the Iraqis," Mr. Prince told editors and reporters at The Washington Times.

Prince defended the Blackwater guards implicated in the September 16 incident that left 17 civilians dead and sparked an international uproar over the prevalence, and legal ambiguity, of private security firms bolstering U.S. efforts in Iraq.

"In an ideal sense, if there was wrongdoing, there could be a trial brought in the Iraqi court system, but that would imply that there is a valid Iraqi court system where Westerners could get a fair trial," Prince said. "That is not the case right now."

Prince told the Times that at least 17 of the 20 Blackwater guards under investigation for their involvement in the incident are in a secure compound in Baghdad's Green Zone, where they are carrying out limited duties. Two more have left the country.

He added that if an ongoing FBI investigation uncovers evidence of wrongdoing, Blackwater guards should face trial in the U.S. under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Prince also criticized the State Department for not defending the company in the wake of the shootings. The department has responded by implementing more oversight of its security contractors and is currently negotiating with the Iraqi government for Blackwater's dismissal.

He will not let his employees stand trial in a corrupt and broken justice system ... which reflects the corrupt and broken country ... that is corrupt and broken because of lawless and unaccountable actions by many tribes and sects and soldiers and military contractors ... who are benefiting by the corrupt and broken justice system to do whatever they damn well please.

Hmmm..