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UN Signs Pact with New World Court Opposed by U.S. Netscape News Oct 4, 2004 UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations signed a cooperation agreement on Monday with the new International Criminal Court, despite objections to the tribunal from the United States. The pact that would encourage "greater cooperation and consultation" on administration and judicial matters was signed by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Judge Phillipe Kirsch of Canada, the court's [first} president. The 191-member U.N. General adopted a resolution last month approving the agreement. But in a nod to the Bush administration, the assembly's resolution says that the world body would be reimbursed by nations supporting the court for any expenses occurred. Some 97 countries, including the entire European Union, have ratified the 1998 statute creating the court. The last three nations to ratify two weeks ago were Burundi, Liberia and Guyana. The Bush administration is bitterly opposed to the new court and rescinded former President Bill Clinton's signature to the tribunal's statutes, arguing that it would expose U.S. soldiers and officials to frivolous law suits. But supporters of the court say the ICC steps in only when a country is unwilling or unable to investigate, making it highly unlikely U.S. citizens would be targeted. The court, based at The Hague in the Netherlands, is the first permanent world tribunal set up to prosecute individuals for war crimes, genocide and other gross human rights abuses. Its first investigations involve war crimes in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where thousands have been killed, raped and tortured. Another probe centers on leaders of Uganda's rebel Lord's Resistance Army, who have kidnapped and tortured thousands of children in their camps in Sudan. On Friday, U.S. representative Stuart Holliday warned the Security Council after a vote to increase U.N. peacekeepers in the Congo that " any expenses resulting from the provision of any cooperation or support to the ICC would need to be on a reimbursable basis." William Pace, head of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, representing 2,000 advocacy groups, said, that "by allowing for crucial cooperation between two of the most powerful global justice institutions, this agreement will play an important role in the fight to end impunity for the perpetrators of the world's most atrocious crimes."
I have spoken at length about the specific work of the court and items before the asp. All of this work is necessary to achieve the broader objectives of the court, of which we should not lose sight in considering the issues of the day. In his recent report on the rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict societies, the un secretary-general described the ICC as "the most significant recent development in the international community?s long struggle to advance the cause of justice and rule of law." We at the court were particularly heartened that the secretary-general noted in his report that "the court is already having an important impact by putting would-be violators on notice that impunity is not assured and serving as a catalyst for enacting national laws against the gravest international crimes." The secretary-general continues to stress that it is "crucial that the international community ensures that this nascent institution has the resources, capacities, information and support it needs to investigate, prosecute and bring to trial those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide." Such cooperation is particularly important now that the court is beginning to exercise its judicial functions. SECOND SESSION: The Judges are fully aware that transparency and inclusiveness are important for this process. We are currently looking into the most appropriate ways to enhance public awareness and ensure a wider participation in the process. Statement made by Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Chief Prosecutor June 16, 2003: There are so many divergent interests in the world today that there is not even consensus about the basic goal of punishing the authors of genocide. An international criminal court totally independent and impartial brings hope, but at the same time raises reasonable fears and misunderstandings. The ICC will have jurisdiction over only the most serious crimes of concern to the international community -- genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Moreover, the exercise of this jurisdiction is limited by real safeguards that restrict the ICC from engaging in frivolous or politically motivated prosecutions. For example, pursuant to the principle of complementarity, the ICC can exercise jurisdiction only if a national court is unable or unwilling to prosecute. [Does that include Islamic nations?]Lack of U. S. support for the ICC would forego the opportunity to have a continuing voice in the court?s operation. It would also weaken U. S. international standing, at the very time we need international cooperation for the war against terrorism.Deterring and punishing genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression goes hand-in-hand with fighting terrorism. The ICC includes Muslim Judges: 004.095 Not equal are those believers who sit at home and receive no hurt,and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit at home. Unto all in Faith Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight hath He distinguished above those who sit at home by a special reward.002.216 Fighting is prescribed for you 009.005 fight and slay the Paganswherever ye find them, 002.191 Slay them wherever ye catch them 047.004 Therefore,when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks. [Behead them] 005.033 THE PUNISHMENT of those who '''wage war''' against Allah and His Messenger IS : execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet Who has more authority? 'allah' ? or his Muslim?
'allah' does - in every way - because he is their god! "Deterring and punishing genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression goes hand-in-hand with fighting terrorism."
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