ZGram - June 30, 2002 - "Permanent war crimes court opposed by US opens in the Hague"

[irimland@zundelsite.org]

ZGram - Where Truth is History

June 30, 2002

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

Let's take a guess as to who will get charged first.  Any bets?

[START]

Permanent war crimes court opposed by US opens in the Hague

The world's first permanent war crimes court comes into force at midnight.

Dutch administrators overseeing its initial months of operation are 
ready to register claims of genocide and wartime atrocities.

With the backing of 74 countries, and fierce opposition from the 
United States, the Hague-based institute will have the authority to 
prosecute individuals suspected of war crimes anywhere in the world.

The International Criminal Court will not have the power to try 
offenses committed before July 1, 2002.

A four-member skeleton staff will open for business Monday morning at 
a temporary office "with a fax and a phone" to keep track of 
complaints until permanent representatives are appointed early in 
2003.

Allegations will be filed and evidence handed to the court's 
caretakers will be retained for safekeeping until prosecutors take 
over next year.

The start of the court's jurisdiction signals the beginning of "the 
greatest institution of peace ever created," said William Pace, head 
of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, which includes 
over 1,000 global organisations.

While the court's supporters rejoiced, the United Nations Security 
Council tried to resolve a dispute over a US demand for immunity for 
American peacekeepers, which is opposed by America's European allies, 
including Britain, France and Germany.

Washington has said it will oppose extending the mandate of the 
Bosnian peacekeeping force unless American participants are exempt 
from arrest and prosecution.

Supporters say there are many safeguards to prevent such abuse, 
including a democratic process to elect a prosecutor and 18 judges. 
Each member country has one vote. Nations will have first say over 
where suspects go on trial, not the permanent court.

Story filed: 21:42 Sunday 30th June 2002

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( Source: 
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_619031.html?menu=news.latestheadlines 
)