Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Kerry -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wayners who wrote (30318)	6/12/2004 11:48:53 AM
From: ChinuSFO	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 81568

At Least He’s Consistent Tariq A. Al-Maeena, Arab News — Saturday, 12, June, 2004 One of the little publicized facts after the disclosure of the crimes by the US occupation forces against prisoners of war and civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the pattern of consistency that the present US administration has followed since it took office. Back in 2002, the United Nations General Assembly had adopted a new anti-torture treaty after 10 years of debates and negotiation. The treaty against torture “would allow independent international and national experts to conduct regular visits to places of detention within the member states, to assess the treatment of detainees and make recommendations for improvement.” According to the text of the treaty, the objective of the protocol was “to establish a system of regular visits undertaken by independent and national bodies to places where people are deprived of their liberty, in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment.” The treaty was adopted by a vote of 127 in favor and four against. <font color=red>Mr. Bush’s administration was among the four who voted against.</font> <font color=black>It must have been understandably comforted by the Marshall Islands and Palau as well as Nigeria, who joined its ranks in opposing this treaty. And for months preceding the actual vote, the US administration was actively trying to block the draft that would have allowed independent inspection of prisons and detention centers worldwide by international and national experts to check abuses and torture of detainees. “The prison visits would be too intrusive,” was the reason given for the US rejection. Coming from a head of state who has been trying to sell “democratic reforms” and the value of “human rights” to the rest of the world, these actions are evidently inconsistent with his sanctimonious sermons. The rejection of this treaty, which would not have allowed Mr. Bush to order torture without accountability or condemnation, is consistent with his policies of ignoring or denouncing treaties and national laws that don’t agree with his “divine agenda”. When such dismissal of measures to protect the rights of individuals comes from the top, it shows a glaring inconsistency with what this leader of a once great democracy preaches. It has provided the impetus to the crimes committed in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Guantanamo and elsewhere against civilians and uncharged prisoners of aggression by those who call him commander in chief. This is all a matter of public record, and one does not have to peer very closely to realize the double standards that pervade the actions of this president. However, his unprecedented reversal of the International Criminal Court statute, his repeated snubbing of Security Council resolutions and his bilateral immunity agreements are all very well thought out. In that he has shown consistency. For they are meant to ensure that neither he nor his top advisers would ever become defendants in war crimes proceedings. arabnews.com