Dutch court refuses to throw Bush in jail (Euro-Left wants GWB arrested)

Agence France Presse via Yahoo News ^ | 5/4/05

[Wolfstar]

1 hour, 50 minutes ago

THE HAGUE (AFP) - A court in The Hague turned down a demand by a dozen plaintiffs who wanted to force the Dutch government to arrest US President George W. Bush when he visits the Netherlands Saturday, the judgement made public said.

Bush will be in the south of the Netherlands this weekend to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

The plaintiffs, mostly left-wing organisations and activists, accused Bush of "numerous grave violations of the Geneva Conventions." They also said the president is responsible for the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, and [for] Washington's refusal to recognize the International Criminal Court (ICC), the world's first permanent war crimes court.

In the judgement, dated on Tuesday, the court said that the case was political and that the demands "could have far-reaching consequences for US-Dutch relations."

[Wolfstar]

In related news, Dutch police, military police and the military will deploy 3,000 personnel to protect President Bush during his brief visit to the Netherlands this coming weekend.

Some 1,600 police officers, 1,000 soldiers, 200 military police and 300 support staff will be positioned in the southern Dutch province of Limburg.

[BykrBayb]

"could have far-reaching consequences for US-Dutch relations."

Ya' think?

[Billthedrill]

...the court said that the case was political and that the demands "could have far-reaching consequences for US-Dutch relations...

Er, yes. Arresting the Chief Executive of another country will tend to make tongues wag...

[wideawake]

the southern Dutch province of Limburg

Limburg is, for the Netherlands, a fairly conservative area.

There are people there who still go to church on occasion - in fact the one Limburger I know is also the only European I know who says grace before meals.

[steve-b]

The plaintiffs, mostly left-wing organisations and activists

No! Who'd'a thunk?

[TeenagedConservative]

I'm counting on both of the Dutch conservatives to counter this madness.

[YOUGOTIT]

Just another bunch on Nazi supporters in the Netherlands, who want their God Hitler back.

[Sender]

The same Limburgers who make stinky cheese?

[mmercier]

what are the "dutch", from denmark or holland...

in any case, as retaliation, i recommend we leave them there.

[randog]

In the judgement, dated on Tuesday, the court said that the case was political and that the demands "could have far-reaching consequences for US-Dutch relations."

Yeah, but what about doing the right left thing? I mean, aren't the courts, especially a "peace" court, above politics? Go ahead, arrest our president and show the world how much better you are than the rest of us.

[YOUGOTIT]

Limburg is where the American Cemetery is with THOUSANDS of dead Americans who liberated The Netherlands from the God of these people.

[bkepley]

It would be interesting to see how the Secret Service would react.

[Crazieman]

Acting President Cheney would make the Dutch regret ever doing such a thing

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I believe I could invade and conquer the Netherlands with a couple of dozen Rednecks any day of the week. Maybe W should take Us along, just in case.

[finnman69]

Dutch Justices to LW Moonbats.

NUTS!

[An Old Marine]

These Euro clowns aren't going to be happy until they have war with the US. Then they lose. Then they apply for aid to rebuild their pathetic little countries.

Which just might be the plan in the first place.

[jdm]

"I'm counting on both of the Dutch conservatives to counter this madness."

LOL. I think (hope) that was a subtle stab of humor. That's how I took it. Very funny!

[tiamat]

Well, we DID settle Noreaga

:::snicker:::

[tiamat]

Mouse That Roared?

[Jackson57]

An the American left will chime in about how this just shows how much the rest of the world hates, hates I tell you, George Bush. And we were so loved around the world before he became President. Ok, have any of them actually BEEN outside of this country (not just their mommy's basement in the case of DU)? We weren't "loved" before the war in Iraq, no matter how much they want to think it ...