IRAQ

common dreams: Are We Committing War Crimes in Iraq? by by Dennis Jett

The Bush administration is doing some serious diplomatic arm-twisting to ensure that Americans do not fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. Washington is threatening to cut off aid to dozens of our allies, including countries that supported our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, if they don't go along with an exemption for Americans.

The administration argues that American troops must be protected from politically motivated prosecutions by the court, which came into being a year ago.

Another reason may be that the highest officials in Washington don't want to worry about being tried themselves

Dennis Jett, a former U.S. ambassador, is dean of the University of Florida's International Center.