Switzerland has already rejected the Bush administration's efforts to sign an exemption from the court.  The United States has already withdrawn its signature from the Treaty of Rome, the founding document of the International Criminal Court. In July, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution to protect US citizens from prosecution by the court for a year. And since then, the Bush Administration has continued its campaign to undermine the new tribunal.

Little George undermines the World Court

The future of WorldPeace begins with economic integration, not military domination. 

Following close on the heals of economic integration comes world justice because without a world court to enforce international contracts, economic growth is hampered.

The more the world integrates economically, the less the likelihood of war for the simple reason that businesses tend not to kill off their customers or their suppliers.  Economics promotes understanding as different nations learn about each other for their mutual economic benefit.

Little George has refused to attend the Global Warming conference, the Human Rights conference, the Earth Summit.  Is it any wonder that he has no interest in the World Court?  Why would a man so intent on murdering Saddam and destabilizing the world want to answer to a World Court.

No one can ignore the fact that little George is stuck in the 20th century.  It is time for America to lead the world by participating in the gatherings that are trying to deal with the world as a whole.  It is time for little George to go back to his ranch in Texas and let the world go about building a peaceful world society.


John WorldPeace
October 1, 2002

Its officials now focus their efforts on European countries. The Bush Administration is attempting to negotiate a series of long-term bilateral accords that would protect US citizens from prosecution by the court.

Colin Powell, the US secretary of state, recently sent a letter to all European governments urging them to sign the accords “as soon as possible”.

Powell said the exemptions were consistent with the 1998 Treaty of Rome which ushered the court into existence. 

Twist my arm 

Powell also denied rumors that Washington has threatened to quit NATO if European countries fail to cooperate with the US.

Despite the rhetoric, however, the US reserves the right to review its military assistance programs with countries that do not sign exemption accords.

Romania, Israel and East Timor - three countries that remain heavily reliant on US military aid for their security - have quickly accepted the US exemptions.

Others, particularly among Baltic States, are expected to follow suit.

In Western Europe, US lobbying efforts are beginning to crack the unified resolve of the European Union's 15 member states.

Even as the European Commission warned that the exemptions would violate the founding treaty, Italy, Denmark, Great Britain and even France have signaled their willingness to compromise.

The softer stance appears to be motivated by the need to avoid further complications in transatlantic relations - already tense due to rows about trade, the Israeli- Palestinian conflict and a possible US strike on Iraq.

As a result, while Europeans appear divided, the US presents a united front against the tribunal. Joining Bush, are Democratic politicians who say the court is a menace to US sovereignty.

They also remain concerned that the court would become a political tool for countries hostile toward the US.

How can we manifest peace on earth if we do not include everyone (all races, all nations, all religions, both sexes) in our vision of Peace?

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