http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gshUsLwK6VrjP3x2N2Ht_0gIPnnQD9AK355O1
Who would have guessed that Bush would renege on that deal
The International Criminal Court, which began operating in 2002, is the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal. Afghanistan is one of the 110 countries that have ratified the Rome treaty which created the tribunal and are therefore legally bound by its provisions.
Under the treaty, the court can step in only when countries are unwilling or unable to dispense justice themselves for genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.
Ocampo said it has been "very difficult" to collect precise information about some of the alleged crimes, but his office has benefited from reports produced by non-governmental organizations who "arrived before us and provided information to us."
He said he has requested information from human rights groups and groups inside Afghanistan as well as the Afghan government — and would be "very open" to information from foreign governments.
Taliban fighters have been accused of many brutal killings. There have also been some accusations of U.S. forces in Afghanistan using excessive force and torturing prisoners.
He confirmed that allegations involved both the Taliban and NATO forces.
The Clinton administration signed the Rome Treaty establishing the court, but the Bush administration rescinded the U.S. signature, arguing that the court could be used for frivolous or politically motivated prosecution of American troops.
