These are trying times. The rest of the world is trying to try war criminals — while the Bush White House is trying to cover up some war crimes and try others. It has been a busy month for international lawyers.
In Britain, they have discovered that — since the U.S. and Iraq are united in their refusal to ratify the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court — British troops could be prosecuted for any war crimes they may commit in the event of an attack on Iraq but not their American allies or their Iraqi enemies.
In Belgium on the other hand, the government is filling the gap in its laws that stopped the proceedings against Ariel Sharon for the Sabra and Shatila massacres. The courts had ruled that the accused had to be in Belgium. Brussels is now changing the rules specifically with the Israeli Prime Minister in mind, so that if he visited not only Belgium, but any country with which the Belgians had an extradition treaty, which is most of Europe, he could end up in the dock.
It is of course, not a moment too soon, since UPI's intelligence correspondent, Richard Sale, reported last week that Israel, not content with assassinating Palestinian leaders in the Territories whenever it looked like a ceasefire was holding, was resuming a policy of murdering people in the U.S. and other countries.
In Britain, they have discovered that — since the U.S. and Iraq are united in their refusal to ratify the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court — British troops could be prosecuted for any war crimes they may commit in the event of an attack on Iraq but not their American allies or their Iraqi enemies.
In Belgium on the other hand, the government is filling the gap in its laws that stopped the proceedings against Ariel Sharon for the Sabra and Shatila massacres. The courts had ruled that the accused had to be in Belgium. Brussels is now changing the rules specifically with the Israeli Prime Minister in mind, so that if he visited not only Belgium, but any country with which the Belgians had an extradition treaty, which is most of Europe, he could end up in the dock.
It is of course, not a moment too soon, since UPI's intelligence correspondent, Richard Sale, reported last week that Israel, not content with assassinating Palestinian leaders in the Territories whenever it looked like a ceasefire was holding, was resuming a policy of murdering people in the U.S. and other countries.