Angie Craig: “It is clearly of utmost importance that we speak as a nation to the world and say that our men and women in uniform may…”

“It is clearly of utmost importance that we speak as a nation to the world and say that our men and women in uniform may never and will never become subject to an International Criminal Court. That is the sovereign right of this Nation. We, in general, object to what the Criminal Court under the Rome Treaty proposes. In fact, in the Commerce-State-Justice appropriations bill, just 2 weeks ago I offered an amendment to strike all necessary moneys that would bring about our activity in the Preparatory Commission and the implementation of the Criminal Court. My amendment goes a step beyond what Senator Helms has proposed because the International Criminal Court is not specific to men and women in uniform. It says all citizens of the world in essence; anyone over 18 years of age. Is it possible to assume that a rogue prosecutor under the Criminal Court of the United Nations could suggest that Colin Powell is in violation and, therefore, to be prosecuted before the Criminal Court for his conduct as it relates to pursuing international justice in relation to terrorists? Yes, it is. As a result of that, my amendment proposes to protect all citizens, not just those men and women in uniform.”