This article over at CNN, http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/09/10/findlaw.analysis.cohn.peacekeepers/ penned by a columnist from FindLaw makes the point that our consistet opposition to the International Criminal Court and arm-twisting of various countries to get bi-lateral Get Out Of Jail Free cards is probably doing some (more) harm in our efforts to get assistance in Iraq. Discuss.
I dunno - its probably low down on the list of (but one of many) things the US has done to tick off our longtime allies and friends. I wonder who would be brought before the court first - Bush, or Kissenger?
I agree with the author that the US is a hypocrite regarding the ICC and its position regarding multilateralism. I disagree with the author regarding some tie between the ICC and Iraq. I understand her argument regarding how the war in Iraq would be a war of aggression under the ICC. But now that the aggression is past, how does the ICC affect the safety of our troops in the slightest. Our opposition to the ICC is not hindering our ability to get UN peacekeepers in place. Our war of agression is hindering our ability to get UN peacekeepers in place. Our lack of desire to get UN peacekeepers in place is also hindering our ability to get UN peacekeepers. The ICC issue is completely different.
The ICC charter prohibits prosecutions of crimes committed before it's kickoff in 2002. Therefore Kissinger, Pinochet, et. al. get a pass.