U.S. applauds opening of Special Tribunal for Lebanon at Hague

Missoula, March 1 (Al-Masakin)–Acting State Department Spokesman Robert Wood said in a statement to the press that the United States applauds the opening of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon at the Hague.  The Special Tribunal for Lebanon was established June 10, 2007 to prosecute those responsible for the attack that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others Feb. 14, 2005.

“Today’s opening of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon represents an important step toward justice in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. His death —along with the deaths of other Lebanese patriots — was an unsuccessful attempt to undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty. The Lebanese people answered his assassination with the Cedar Revolution, leading to the withdrawal of Syrian troops and the most democratic Lebanese elections in decades.
“The Tribunal is a clear signal that Lebanon’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. Moreover, we hope it will help deter further violence and end a sad era of impunity. Too many Lebanese families have never seen justice for the murder of their loved ones.
“We applaud the brave and tireless work of the UN International Independent Investigation Commission and Lebanese judicial authorities who have brought the investigation and Tribunal this far. We will continue to assist their efforts, and recently pledged another $6 million, pending Congressional approval, towards the Tribunal’s operations in addition to the $14 million already contributed,” the press statement said.

The United States supports the mandate of Universal Jurisdiction except when applied to itself or Israel.  The United States adheres to the American Service-Members Protection Act in 2002, an act which has been called the “Hague Invasion Act” by employees of the ICC because the United States, through this document, promises to invade Holland if any American government officials or service members are ever indicted there. The the American Service-Members Protection Act authorizes the President to use “all means necessary and appropriate” to bring about the release from captivity of U.S. or Allied personnel detained or imprisoned against their will by or on behalf of the ICC.

EHC / EHC

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