In addition to what I stated in my other message, the real issue here is not what crimes an American citizen commits in another country but the possibility that an American Soldier could be prosecuted in the International court for committing what the international court feels is a war crime when he/she was following orders of their superiors and the act may be considered legal by our government. There were few if any conditions mentioned for that situation.
I think that needs to be worked out before the U.S. joins. I would be willing to accept a 'civililian' U.S. citizen abiding by the laws of the country they are visiting and suffering international court rulings as long as it is across the board, but exceptions MUST exist for military persons on military duty acting in a conflict. The actions should be judged of course by the international community but when the U.S. considers the directives legal then the soldier MUST follow them or risk court martial (in some cases being shot is even legal) or risk UCMJ action. In that case, the U.S. should be held accountable but not the individual soldier. when that is worked out, I will agree to the U.S. joining.


>Tracy,
>
>> I will never agree with any international court having jurisdiction over an american citizen before the U.S. courts.
>
>While I think the tendency to stand up for every of your citizens [Iran embassy comes to mind] is applaudable and to be preferred to giving in to terrorists [buying out from africa of german tourists a few months back], I think this is formulated too extreme or encompassing.
>
>What about acts of US citizens abroad ? Why should every [act even if not commited in the US] be judged by US standards ? I realize you spoke about "international courts" probably talking about Den Haag, but why shouldn't a US citizen caught with dope in turkey be judged by that countries harsher sentences for that particular crime, to give a slightly off base argument ?
>Any reason to put US standards always first ?
>Sounds a bit arrogant to me ;-)
>
>regards
>
>thomas