Truth to Power

Roberts on war crimes

Little War Criminals Get Punished, Big Ones Don’t

By Paul Craig Roberts

16/07/08 “ICH” – – National Public Radio has been spending much news time on Darfur in Western Sudan where a great deal of human suffering and death are occurring. The military conflict has been brought on in part by climate change, according to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Drought is forcing nomads in search of water into areas occupied by other claimants. No doubt the conflict is tribal and racial as well. The entire catastrophe is overseen by a government with few resources other than bullets.

Now an International Criminal Court prosecutor wants to bring charges against Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

I have no sympathy for people who make others suffer. Nevertheless, I wonder at the International Criminal Court’s pick from the assortment of war criminals? Why al-Bashir?

Is it because Sudan is a powerless state, and the International Criminal Court hasn’t the courage to name George W. Bush and Tony Blair as war criminals? </em>

Ya think?


Recently on Ink 19...

Chapterhouse

Chapterhouse

Interviews

With the thirty-fifth anniversary of debut album Whirlpool, UK shoegaze outfit Chapterhouse is back together again and touring the US as part of Slide Away Music Festival.