NATO commanders who authorized the bombing of Libya should be “held accountable” to international law and hauled before the world court for civilian deaths, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) said Tuesday.
“NATO’s top commanders may have acted under color of international law, but they are not exempt from international law,” Kucinich said in a statement released by his office. “If members of the Qadhafi regime are to be held accountable, NATO’s top commanders must also be held accountable through the International Criminal Court for all civilian deaths resulting from bombing. Otherwise, we will have witnessed the triumph of a new international gangsterism.”
Although marginalized in Congress, Kucinich is not the first to note NATO crimes in the Libyan war. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon voiced concern over reports in early August of NATO bombs killing up to 85 civilians. Amnesty International has also called for an investigation of the incident.
There have been various other reports of civilian deaths resulting from NATO bombs, including an airstrike on a hospital in July – itself a war crime. A NATO attack on a television and radio station, which killed several people, was also condemned by UN officials as a violation of the laws of war.
Kucinich argued that NATO’s failure to keep to the initial UN mandate of protecting civilians also warrants investigation. “The reasons for the U.S./NATO intervention in Libya keep changing,” he said. “First, it was about the potential for a massacre in Benghazi. When the massacre did not materialize and once the war against Libya was under way, the reasons for intervention changed.”
“Was the United States, through participation in the overthrow of the regime, furthering the aims of international oil corporations in pursuit of control over one of the world’s largest oil resources?” he asked. “Did the United States at the inception of the war against Libya align itself with elements of Al Qaeda, while elsewhere continuing to use the threat of Al Qaeda as a reason for U.S. military intervention, presence and occupation?”
Gotta love this guy. Isn't it interesting that the monster they painted Gaddafi to be wasn't and that he exited pretty quietly and didn't massacre his own people and all the rest of the nonsense the warlords in suits were screaming about. Do hold NATO accountable. It has become a joke, an international armed wing of the international neoconnery. What does NATO stand for again? Neocon/American Terror Organization?
This too will pass. The media propagandists will sing DC's tune to drown out any critical thinking. Been done before for the past decade so why expect something different? What we can expect is more of the same and likely on a greater and more violent scale. Wish it were otherwise.
There is no law and we are witnessing the law of Jungle in which might is always is right. america is worst human rights violater and killer.
Sometimes I wonder how close to the real truth Dennis comes. Some of his proclamations/accusations seem far-fetched but in these times of nebulous reality I wonder if he doesn't get it right more times than we give him credit for…just wonderin'.
Regardless, we can always count on Dennis to liven the discussion and provide one of those shifts in the continuum that keep people guessing. YoudaMan, D., keep 'em honest.
He is more right than wrong in many many situations. My frustration is that his questioning and perceptions come to no conclusion but frustration and more position taking.
someone toss a bucket of cold water on Kinich, wake up boy.
AND PIGS WILL FLY!!!
NATO which has proved itself to be an unprincipled lackey of the Western Powers greed for Libyan oil will continue to kill civilians with impunity in LIBYA, and Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Somewhere I ended up acquriring a hate for NATO . It may have happend in Yugoslavia , where NATO did The exact samething as the nazi's . Using the same tactics , siding with the same ethnic minorities . even rearranging the borders almost like Hitler had them . When NATO was through with Yugoslavia there were two former Hitlers nazi's leading both Croatia and Bosnia . NATO forces just reminded me of mad dogs or street gangs . Where they think becuase there is big bunch of them they will never be held accountable . This time I have to agree with Dennis If its against the law to defend your country It has to be against the law to attack a couintry too . Lets start charging these NATO commandors