On July 1, the international treaty on the International Criminal Court came into force. The US is considering the prospect of invading The Hague.

Russia keeps pace with all progressive humanity. And absolutely synchronously. On July 1, two major events took place in the field of jurisprudence both here and “with them.” The new Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation began to work, which replaced the absolutely atavistic code of laws introduced back in the RSFSR. And the International Criminal Court (ICC) began operating in The Hague, which will hear cases of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

However, the first hearings at the ICC may not take place until the end of next year. And before that - in February 2003 - the chairman of the court and the prosecutor must be elected, who will have to do serious preparatory work.

Although July 1 is an important date in the fate of this legal enterprise. First of all, because from this day the “credit” begins for future clients of the ICC, which will examine cases of crimes committed after June 2002.

In addition, today is the ICC's housewarming party. The Dutch government has provided the court with a reportedly state-of-the-art 16-story building made of glass, concrete and aluminum, the construction and maintenance of which cost €64 million from the Dutch treasury until 2010. The delivery of equipment and installation of premises begins.

The ICC was organized at the initiative of the UN. The decision to create such a comprehensive international tribunal in 1998 was made by 120 states. At the same time, in accordance with the ICC statute, it will differ from its Yugoslav counterpart in that it will extend its activities to the whole world without time limits. There is one more very significant feature. The ICC grants the right to try criminals to the country of which they are citizens. If, for some reason, this country’s Themis indulges in connivance or issues scandalously lenient sentences, then the ICC will demand that the criminals be transferred to The Hague.

It would seem that everything is logical and quite humane. Especially considering that the ICC is not going to execute anyone. However, so far only 69 states have ratified the treaty establishing the court. Among the non-signatories are Egypt, Israel, Indonesia, Iran, China, Russia, Turkey, Japan... Everyone has their own considerations, as well as fears that citizen judges may be driven by political considerations and a feeling of interstate hatred.

But the most ardent opponent of the ICC is, of course, the United States, which dominates both at sea and on land. They seriously fear that their anti-terrorism activities may be assessed negatively in The Hague. The history of the White House's attitude to this document is interesting. Clinton delayed signing it for a very long time, realizing how harmful it was. And suddenly, two days before the end of his term, he waved. It seemed that this was done in order to annoy the new owner of the White House.

However, Bush exceeded all expectations; without hesitation, he withdrew from a number of international treaties and protocols. Among other things, he revoked Clinton’s signature on the ICC treaty. Moreover, he began to demand from the UN that the ICC should not dare to make any claims against US citizens.

Last weekend, Bush made a very strong, one might say, Nozdryov move. He demanded that the UN Security Council grant legal immunity to American peacekeepers in Bosnia. The Security Council frivolously refused, not taking into account that the mandate for the peacekeeping contingent to remain in Bosnia expired at the beginning of June. And this mandate was to be extended by a vote of 14 members of the UN Security Council. The American representative used the right of veto, in connection with which not only American fighters, but also everyone else must leave Bosnia.

As usual, American legislators are trying to run ahead of the locomotive. A bill is being discussed in Congress. It involves a ban on cooperation with the ICC. It also contains a provision granting the president the right to use force to free his citizens from the ICC casemates.

The Dutch press called this bill the “Bill of Invasion of The Hague.”

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A COUNTER LAUNCHED IN THE HAGUE