The opposing team had Italy, vying for U.S. trade, pushing the U.S. line for full exemption for all United States citizens. A compromise passed: exempting United States military personnel, and diplomats from being tried for international crimes, including crimes against humanity and war crimes, by the International Criminal Court.
The White House balked at the decision, rejected it; President Bush said the compromise didn’t go far enough.
Bush immediately dispatched Marissa Lino to London, then to Paris, Madrid and Rome to try to ensure that “no Americans” would ever be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court. Bush wants a total exemption going all the way to the top.
Is this just another example of PAX Americana in action? (See… Scoop article Imperial PAX Americana…) Yes, clearly, but the motive of self-preservation is also obviously paramount.
Bush immediately dispatched Marissa Lino to London, then to Paris, Madrid and Rome to try to ensure that “no Americans” would ever be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court. Bush wants a total exemption going all the way to the top.
Is this just another example of PAX Americana in action? (See… Scoop article Imperial PAX Americana…) Yes, clearly, but the motive of self-preservation is also obviously paramount.
Other Presidents such as former Serb leader Slobadan Milosevic have refused to accept the jurisdiction of International Law. Will the U.S.A. be exempt from this order? If so, does this add weight to Milosevic’s defence?
The White House is wary that such a court – the ICC - specifically was set up to bring individuals to justice, including heads of state, presidents like Slobadan Milosevic, for crimes against humanity. Should global discord mount against the U.S. post a new Iraq-U.S. war, the President himself, Colin Powell and a host of others potentially could stand trial for war crimes resulting from the Administration’s pre-emptive strike policy.
The White House is wary that such a court – the ICC - specifically was set up to bring individuals to justice, including heads of state, presidents like Slobadan Milosevic, for crimes against humanity. Should global discord mount against the U.S. post a new Iraq-U.S. war, the President himself, Colin Powell and a host of others potentially could stand trial for war crimes resulting from the Administration’s pre-emptive strike policy.