Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-07-03-Speech-3-178"

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"en.20020703.5.3-178"2
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"Mr President, I too am pleased that Mr Tannock does not intend to invade the Netherlands, but I would still like to concur with Mr Oostlander’s views, and would like to be the first to invite President Bush, in his capacity as commander-in-chief, to receive the Dutch new herring on the beach of Scheveningen on our European Dutch coast. Such a herring invasion seems to me to be so much more beneficial for the goodwill of the international coalition against terrorism than the threat to invade Europe, if necessary, to release American military accused of crimes against humanity and brought to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which opened its doors this Monday, and is backed by 133 countries. It appears that the United States would like to put its peace keepers and military above the law, which militates against respect for the Rule of Law, and this despite the fact that the treaty unquestionably hands the responsibility to investigate and take action initially to the country that supplies peace keepers. The International Criminal Court is a last resort, essentially to penalise war criminals and also leaders of those regimes that commit crimes against humanity. By tolerating the existence of international lawlessness, we undermine a credible coalition against terrorism, the very object of the exercise. If being a super power means being above the law, then we are clearly on the wrong track. The United States is playing with fire. So all the more reason why Europe should take a tough stance, tougher than that stated by Mr Haarder a moment ago, in order to put our ally under diplomatic pressure. In this, Europe must speak with one voice, and emphasise a broad concept of security and key emphases, such as prevention and civilian elements. President Bush sometimes wants to play the cowboy at international level, but risks turning his own peacekeepers into outlaws in the process. This does not fit in very well with the historic American tradition in accordance with which the Rule of Law currently applies to everyone, irrespective of creed, race and origin. This should also apply to Americans worldwide. This is why we need an international coalition, and this is where the International Criminal Court in The Hague comes in. President Bush, I am making an urgent appeal to you, as commander-in-chief, to return to the international coalition for the worldwide Rule of Law. You are most welcome on our beaches, and we will offer you our first Dutch herring with pleasure."@en1

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