Posted on 05/22/2003 12:39:30 PM PDT by kattracks
ATHENS, Greece, May 22, 2003 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Athens' bar association announced Thursday it planned to sue Britain in the new International Criminal Court for its role in the attacks against Iraq.The association called the attacks by U.S. and British forces "crimes against humanity and war crimes," as well as violations of international law, human rights and a number of treaties.
But the association said it planned to file suit only against European Union partner Britain. The United States has challenged the court's jurisdiction over Americans.
The Greek public overwhelmingly opposed the war in Iraq and all main political parties supported near-daily demonstrations.
Last week, Bosnia joined more than two dozen other nations in signing an agreement with the United States that exempts Americans from prosecution by the international criminal court. It promised not to extradite U.S. troops and other Americans charged with genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.
The court, inaugurated on March 12, is charged with intervening only when a country is unable or lacks the political will to carry out a trial. It was signed by 78 nations and is charged with prosecuting crimes committed after July 1, 2002.
They support terror at every turn.
It proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that conservatives were right when they raise hell against getting the US into this International Court.
Conservatives predicted the International Court was going to be a political tool to witchhunt Americans, and the proof is in the pudding.
It does appear that Athens has lost it's marbles.
I wonder how "lacks the political will" is to be interpreted?
I hope those that are of Greek heritage do not feel any insult, if Americans respond negatively to the actions of the Greek Government.
Just like us. The actions of the American Government, especially in the past, were not always the WILL of the people, as it is argued to be.
Speaking of will of the people, many argue (many DEMO's) that President Bush was not elected by the WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
To those people, if that is accepted as true, I would say, DAMN GOOD THING FOR YOU AND ME that the so called WILL OF THE PEOPLE wasn't followed, HUH!?!?!?!?!?!
Well... No government, no politicians, no trial, no court, not sure about the will part. Yep, they need to define that better.
England clearly has the ability to try its leaders for war crimes -- it has courts and stuff -- so the ICC folks must have decided that it lacks political will.
If that's the case, then "lacks political will" is an almost meaningless and wide-open condition. After all, how often will a country have the political will to try itself for war crimes? The answer is never, which means that the ICC will always be charged to intervene, according to that condition. (this is assuming that the article stated the conditions accurately)
The thing that's exasperating is that Europe will accuse the US of imperialism or seeking hegemony or whatever, then it'll turn around and breathe into existence a global court with jurisdiction over all the world's citizens and constitional courts. That's pretty audacious, if you ask me.
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