Why Does Interpol Need Immunity from American Law? [Andy McCarthy]

National Review ^ | December 23, 2009 | Andy McCarthy

[greyfoxx39]

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Why Does Interpol Need Immunity from American Law?   [Andy McCarthy]

You just can't make up how brazen this crowd is. One week ago, President Obama quietly signed an executive order that makes an international police force immune from the restraints of American law.

Interpol is the shorthand for the International Criminal Police Organization. It was established in 1923 and operates in about 188 countries. By executive order 12425, issued in 1983, President Reagan recognized Interpol as an international organization and gave it some of the privileges and immunities customarily extended to foreign diplomats. Interpol, however, is also an active law-enforcement agency, so critical privileges and immunities (set forth in Section 2(c) of the International Organizations Immunities Act) were withheld. Specifically, Interpol's property and assets remained subject to search and seizure, and its archived records remained subject to public scrutiny under provisions like the Freedom of Information Act. Being constrained by the Fourth Amendment, FOIA, and other limitations of the Constitution and federal law that protect the liberty and privacy of Americans is what prevents law-enforcement and its controlling government authority from becoming tyrannical.

On Wednesday, however, for no apparent reason, President Obama issued an executive order removing the Reagan limitations. That is, Interpol's property and assets are no longer subject to search and confiscation, and its archives are now considered inviolable. This international police force (whose U.S. headquarters is in the Justice Department in Washington) will be unrestrained by the U.S. Constitution and American law while it operates in the United States and affects both Americans and American interests outside the United States.

Interpol works closely with international tribunals (such as the International Criminal Court — which the United States has refused to join because of its sovereignty surrendering provisions, though top Obama officials want us in it). It also works closely with foreign courts and law-enforcement authorities (such as those in Europe that are investigating former Bush administration officials for purported war crimes — i.e., for actions taken in America's defense).

Why would we elevate an international police force above American law? Why would we immunize an international police force from the limitations that constrain the FBI and other American law-enforcement agencies? Why is it suddenly necessary to have, within the Justice Department, a repository for stashing government files which, therefore, will be beyond the ability of Congress, American law-enforcement, the media, and the American people to scrutinize?

Steve Schippert has more at ThreatsWatch, here.

12/23 07:59 AMShare

[brytlea]

My son pointed this out to me a couple of days ago. Thanks for the ping.

[AmericanArchConservative]

I think this is probably the most insidious E.O. that zer0 has signed since taking office - perhaps among the worst things he has done to this country, and that is saying a mouthful, really.

He must be stopped, or much worse will be in store for all of us who are not a part of the right privileged/protected class. He must be stopped.

A.A.C.

[bitt]

close but no cigar..er, I mean, traitor.

[bitt]

hey-ya!

test 2 is a success!

now get out there and find some offensive and insulting pics for us to enjoy.

Like this:

[GreatOne]

This is a prelude to an army of blue hemets, hell bent on occupying us!

Without knowing much about this, my initial impression is that this does not allow a foreign army here, but allows INTERPOL to snatch U.S. citizens indicted by a foreign country or the Hauge - think Rumsfeld and Cheney, or any CIA or Special Ops officer for their actions in Iraq.

[MaxMax]

Hello American pigs, we are under orders from Interpol,
now please surrender your weapons and children

[sheik yerbouty]

As I said, a prelude to it when the people voice their objections to this.

[KC_Conspirator]

This is because the Obama Administration, which hates America, thinks the first and foremost point to be made is that America is bad.

[Track9]

"

[bitt]

so good, I stole it!

now you’ll REALLY have fun here.

[RobFromGa]

please add me to your cw2 list...

[reaganrevolutionin2010]

One world government, anyone? Just another outrage as this Administration destroys America’s sovereignty. Nothing to worry about, right?

[greyfoxx39]

Great job!

[RightCenter]

Catching pedophiles is an international effort.