Good point, DTA. The Tribunal's stated purpose is to "contribute to the restoration and maintenance of peace." The concept is that restoration of peace and security requires that justice be done. Without a mechanism for holding perpetrators accountable before a court of law, the cycle of personal vengeance among groups and individuals is very likely to continue. Similar to the reason for courts anywhere--if you don't have a legal system, people take justice into their own hands.
And it was obvious then--and still is now--that the local courts weren't willing or able to try their own people. That's why the Bush administration continues to support the ICTY, why we've cut aid to Serbia for not cooperating with the ICTY, and why in the US message commending Haradinaj for turning himself in to the ICTY, the last paragraph reads:
"The United States remains committed to supporting the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. We call upon all parties in Kosovo and throughout the Balkans to cooperate with the Tribunal, including apprehending and transferring all indictees to The Hague..."
I wholeheartedly stand by the US Govt decision to distance itself and vote against the ICC. Would you want to put your hands in the court system of the UN? I sure as hell do not. Why risk having to hesitate to think, "will my battle and I have to face court if we shoot this Iraqi that just dropped his 47 and now wants to surrender after hitting us and dropping a few of my guys?" F-no.