U.S. Drops U.N. Bid for War Crime Shield

richlevy · 06-23-2004, 09:07 PM

Quote:

U.S. Drops U.N. Bid for War Crime Shield

By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer

James Cunningham, U.S. deputy ambassador to the U.N., left, speaks to ...More...
UNITED NATIONS - Facing strong opposition, the United States announced Wednesday it was dropping a resolution seeking a new exemption for American peacekeepers from international prosecution for war crimes.

U.S. deputy ambassador James Cunningham made the announcement after a U.S. compromise that would limit the exemption to one final year failed to get support from key Security Council opponents.

Several council members refusing the compromise cited the abuse of Iraqi detainees by U.S. soldiers and Secretary-General Kofi Annan's opposition to renewing the exemption for a third year.

Well, it appears that the world no longer thinks of US soldiers as white knights. This has huge implications. It is one of the first examples of the US not getting support from its allies in an important vote. The US has long held itself above international law. Our response to international justice is that it is fine if the court tries someone we don't like, but don't come knocking here.

This could have significant implications down the road if another My Lai occurs. I don't think the next William Calley could expect 3 years house arrest and a pardon from the Hague.

lookout123 · 06-24-2004, 12:20 AM

what a load of bullshit. american soldiers should only be tried in american courts, military or otherwise. fuck just about anything khofi anan supports.

Pi · 06-24-2004, 01:53 AM

Why should US stand over all the other countries?

jaguar · 06-24-2004, 02:19 AM

It sure will be interesting to see what happens if push ever comes to shove on this one.

Undertoad · 06-24-2004, 06:14 AM

If you think the Patriot Act is unconstitutional, but you think it would be nice if foreign combatants arrive on US soil, locate and arrest US citizens, search and seize their property, and take them out of the country to be dealt with by a foreign court system without warrants,...

jaguar · 06-24-2004, 07:16 AM

You love hyperbole don't you.

Griff · 06-24-2004, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lookout123
what a load of bullshit. american soldiers should only be tried in american courts, military or otherwise. fuck just about anything khofi anan supports.

I guess this would never be an issue if US troops were defending the territorial integrity of the United States instead of ~~fasci~~ corporate interests.

jaguar · 06-24-2004, 08:16 AM

It's also worth noting they're just going to pursue bi-lateral treaties in countries US troops are serving with rather than a blanket ban, so don't expect to see soldiers in the hague anytime soon. Nothign really changes here, it's just a delicate move by various nations to demonstrate the US does not have the support it once did.

That said, som of their concerns about the court (jepody issues in particular) are valid concerns.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-24-2004, 04:22 PM

One man's prank, is anothers man's war crime.

elSicomoro · 06-24-2004, 08:50 PM

Paybacks are a bitch.

06-24-2004, 12:20 AM	#2
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	what a load of bullshit. american soldiers should only be tried in american courts, military or otherwise. fuck just about anything khofi anan supports. __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

06-24-2004, 01:53 AM	#3
Pi desperate finder Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 437	Why should US stand over all the other countries? __________________ Complex simplex

06-24-2004, 02:19 AM	#4
jaguar whig Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 5,075	It sure will be interesting to see what happens if push ever comes to shove on this one. __________________ Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain

06-24-2004, 07:16 AM	#6
jaguar whig Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 5,075	You love hyperbole don't you. __________________ Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain

06-24-2004, 08:16 AM	#8
jaguar whig Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 5,075	It's also worth noting they're just going to pursue bi-lateral treaties in countries US troops are serving with rather than a blanket ban, so don't expect to see soldiers in the hague anytime soon. Nothign really changes here, it's just a delicate move by various nations to demonstrate the US does not have the support it once did. That said, som of their concerns about the court (jepody issues in particular) are valid concerns. __________________ Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain

06-24-2004, 06:14 AM	#5
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	If you think the Patriot Act is unconstitutional, but you think it would be nice if foreign combatants arrive on US soil, locate and arrest US citizens, search and seize their property, and take them out of the country to be dealt with by a foreign court system without warrants,...

06-24-2004, 04:22 PM	#9
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	One man's prank, is anothers man's war crime. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-24-2004, 08:50 PM	#10
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Paybacks are a bitch.

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