Bush on the spot: Questions about accountability

President Bush during the Johns Hopkins session.

The Virginian-Pilot

The issue of accountability for private military contractors has stumped many experts – including the U.S. commander in chief.

During a Q&A session at Johns Hopkins University in April, a student raised the subject with President Bush. A transcript of the exchange, taken from the White House Web site:

Student: My question is in regards to private military contractors. Uniform Code of Military Justice does not apply to these contractors in Iraq. I asked your Secretary of Defense a couple months ago what law governs their actions.

Bush: I was going to ask him. Go ahead. (laughter) Help. (laughter)

Student: I was hoping your answer might be a little more specific. (laughter) Mr. Rumsfeld answered that Iraq has its own domestic laws which he assumed applied to those private military contractors. However, Iraq is clearly not currently capable of enforcing its laws, much less against – over our American military contractors. I would submit to you that in this case, this is one case that privatization is not a solution. And, Mr. President, how do you propose to bring private military contractors under a system of law?

Bush: I appreciate that very much. I wasn’t kidding – (laughter) I was going to – I pick up the phone and say, Mr. Secretary, I’ve got an interesting question. (laughter) This is what delegation – I don’t mean to be dodging the question, although it’s kind of convenient in this case, but never – (laughter) I really will – I’m going to call the Secretary and say you brought up a very valid question, and what are we doing about it? That’s how I work. I’m – thanks. (laughter)

Watch video of the exchange.