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

[SIZE=3]U.S. Drops U.N. Bid for War Crime Shield
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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.

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

Why should US stand over all the other countries?

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

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,...

You love hyperbole don't you.

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 [strike]fasci[/strike] corporate interests.

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.

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

Paybacks are a bitch.