Posted by
Defend America on Monday, November 30, 2009 6:20:24 AM
Prosecuting American 'War Crimes'
The International Criminal Court claims jurisdiction over U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
The Hague
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed "great regret" in
August that the U.S. is not a signatory to the International Criminal
Court (ICC). This has fueled speculation that the Obama administration
may reverse another Bush policy and sign up for what could lead to the
trial of Americans for war crimes in The Hague.
The ICC's chief prosecutor, though, has no intention of waiting for
Washington to submit to the court's authority. Luis Moreno Ocampo says
he already has jurisdiction—at least with respect to Afghanistan.
Because Kabul in 2003 ratified the
Rome Statute—the ICC's founding treaty—all soldiers on Afghan
territory, even those from nontreaty countries, fall under the ICC's
oversight, Mr. Ocampo told me. And the chief prosecutor says he is
already conducting a "preliminary examination" into whether NATO
troops, including American soldiers, fighting the Taliban may have to
be put in the dock.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704013004574519253095440312.html#printMode