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*Originally posted by JusticeIsBlind: *
on the subject of "the deck" how do they get 55? 52 cards in the 4 suits, 2 jokers and then what? intructions?
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Wildcards, perhaps.
i am offbase with this as well most likely but i just realized this.... How awful it is for me to be discussing the assassination of governmental officials, by using a deck of cards as an analogy. Yes they are dictators. The Hague is the place to determine their fate, not any arbitrary government.
Another thing to point out:
This US admin likes to use WWII analogies for almost everything.. With regards to Iraq there will be yet another point on which those will not apply - war crimes trials. There is no way that there could be anything like the Nürnberg Trials for Iraq. The biggest point is that the world would probably not allow the death penalty for most of these people. I know there are many that would be for it for most of them, myself included, but many governments would not.. it conflicts with their own laws (a requirement of EU membership is to abolish it).
Also, another point on these high level "captures":
In this media infested world word choice means a lot. In reality it is a petty matter but when it affects the knowledge of millions of people at once it becomes a big matter. Now.. the US did not 'capture' these people - they surrendered. I know that doesn't mean much but in almost every headline I've seen the word 'capture' is used. That is misleading.
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Originally posted by spoon: *
**Also, another point on these high level "captures":
In this media infested world word choice means a lot. In reality it is a petty matter but when it affects the knowledge of millions of people at once it becomes a big matter. Now.. the US did not 'capture' these people - they surrendered. I know that doesn't mean much but in almost every headline I've seen the word 'capture' is used. That is misleading.
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Interesting points as always, Spoon.
(Sorry for going off on a tangent with this, but regarding the death penalty - as far as i am aware (i might be wrong), under EU laws, if a European country is to capture an Iraqi govt'l. official, legally EU law prevents them from extraditing the individual to the US - because of the death penalty they might hypothetically face). In reality - i am not certain how that would work out (is it possible to imagine the UK refusing a US request to extradite a senior-level Iraqi official? Not likely).
Anyways, Nuremberg tribunals for Iraq is a very interesting proposition. Personally i think i would prefer that Saddam Hussein and ALL others involved in the gassing of the Kurds, have to stand at the dock at the ICJ.
^ good point Nadia. THe US has faced this problem in dealing with the EU officials and it has been a major irritant since september 11. I believe that if ever Sadam or else any other member of his regime that are most wanted are caught then it is highly unlikely that European countries( who have signed the European Convention on Human rights which bans the capital punishment) will extradite them to the US. One reason being as you mentioned that the US has a death penalty and the other that the US plans on trying these individuals in the military court ( atleast it was the case as far as those involved in masterminding the terrorist attacks.
ANd hey, what about ICC, does it stand any chance now?
The US will most probably find Saddam as easy as they found Osama!
As far as war tribunals are concerned, Texas will most probably be the first choice.
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Originally posted by lost soul: *
**ANd hey, what about ICC, does it stand any chance now?
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IMO, you are accurate regarding the European issue. i am not certain how realistic it is that a European country (as an example let's say the UK) would refuse to hand over captured Iraqi officials, to the US. Under the European Convention on Human Rights (as you mentioned), legally it would not be allowed - but somehow, i can't imagine Jack Straw having the guts to actually stand up to Rummy on this. It would be different were it, say, France or Germany.
ICC? i think Sholay hit the nail on the head with this one. Military tribunals somewhere in Texas. Preferably close to Dubya's ranch, perhaps.
(By the way - i am not even certain whether the US has signed up to the ICC, or have they ?).