Posted on 06/23/2004 2:57:35 PM PDT by Texas Federalist
American peacekeepers could soon face prosecution for war crimes by the International Criminal Court, now that the U.S. is dropping a United Nations resolution looking for continued exemption.
U.S. deputy ambassador James Cunningham made the announcement today in New York, after unsuccessfully seeking a compromise that would limit the exemption to one final year.
"The United States has decided not to proceed further with consideration and action on the draft at this time in order to avoid a prolonged and divisive debate," said Cunningham, according to Reuters. "We are dropping action on this resolution."
The Bush administration has continually argued the court could subject U.S. troops to frivolous or politically motivated prosecutions, though the 94 countries which approved the 1998 Rome Treaty which created the body say no one should be exempt, and there are safeguards to prevent frivolous cases.
The U.S. has previously threatened to veto U.N. peacekeeping missions if Americans would be subject to prosecution, but Cunningham didn't say if the threat would now become reality.
According to the Associated Press, several members of the Security Council cited recent reports of American abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in rejecting the compromise.
Cunningham said the draft resolution proposed by the U.S. would not have protected soldiers accused of wrongdoing at Abu Ghraib.
"The objection has nothing to do with bringing to justice those individuals who may have committed heinous crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, something the United States strongly supports, as you know," he said. "For example, we have already initiated prosecutions related to the charges of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib and have several investigations under way."
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was also opposed to granting a third year of exemption.
I actually think this may be a good thing, if it means that all U.S. involvement in UN peacekeeping activity ends as a result.
Agree. These global leftists will overreach and the US will have to tell them "bye, bye".
Its only a good thing if the US actuallys ends its involvement with UN peacekeeping activity. I would like to see that codified into a law though.
AH, the ever reliable WorldNetDaily. Feeding us bull$hit since its birth. The U.S. didn't allow this last year and we won't this year. Go back to your Y2K rations and your Christian Reconstructionist theorists. We live in a Republic. NOT a Christian theocracy.
Among the first acts that President Bush took when he assumed office was to revoke Clinton's signature on the International Criminal Court treaty. It had never been ratified by the U.S. Senate and never will be with a Republican majority.
However, the international "community," (read the Euro Left) may still attempt to arrest and try Americans even though we are not party to the ICC treaty. This is why the administration tried to get a UN resolution.
Thank you.
True: let them keep their own peace and abstain (if they can) from cannibalism in the process. They could have our best and warmest wishes for success in this difficult undertaking.
Section. 1. The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section. 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority; — to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; — to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; — to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party; — to Controversies between two or more States; — between a State and Citizens of another State [Modified by Amendment XI]; — between Citizens of different States; — between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make. The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
End of story.
ping
U.S. Ends Bid for Protection From War Crimes Tribunal (Update1)
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aS68f1LTXTBc&refer=us
The Bloomberg article reminded the reader, The U.S. will continue to seek bilateral agreements that grant protection from the court, according to Cunningham. The U.S. has negotiated accords with 90 nations that have agreed not to refer accusations against U.S. citizens to the court.
Ping what?
Well, well, once again WorldNet Daily leaves out the most important part, doesn't it?
What the hell are you talking about?
The problem is, as you recognize, that the ICC does not limit its jurisdiction to ICC members. The real question is: will Bush take a hard line response if an American is arrested and tried by the ICC? Since he didn't push too hard for the exemption, I don't think Bush will take much of a stand.
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