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Latin America
Caribbean Leaders Blast U.S. Aid Policy over Int’l Criminal Court
2003-07-05
Caribbean leaders criticized the United States Friday for suspending aid to six regional nations that refuse to exempt Americans from the new International Criminal Court's jurisdiction. The ``punitive action'' from the United States will cut into their vigorish weaken U.S. efforts to protect its own borders and security in the region, leaders at the annual summit of the 15-member Caribbean Community said in a statement. ``This development was at complete variance with the spirit of the special relationship which traditionally existed between the United States and the Caribbean, a relationship which as always been characterized by benign neglect of banana republics mutual respect and cooperation,'' they said. The United States on Tuesday announced the suspension of military aid to 35 countries that have refused to exempt its citizens. The list included the Caribbean nations of Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Two countries — Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — have said they stand to lose $1 million and $300,000 respectively.
That'll pay for a half-dozen JDAMs. Good.
The U.S. government argues its troops on missions abroad could be subjected to politically motivated trials. Human rights groups and critical nations ask why the United States would set itself a different standard from the rest of the world.
Because we obey our Constitution.
To compensate for the loss of U.S. aid, Caribbean leaders proposed working together on military assistance and training to insure their nation's continued protection. ``We must move as quickly as possible'' on the regional security plan, Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Patrick Manning told reporters. ``More and more the Caribbean must accept responsibility for its own security.''
Hey, careful with that feather — I almost fell over!
Manning reiterated Trinidad's intent to participate in the court and said it will not go back on its decision. But Belize's Prime Minister Said Musa on Wednesday said his Central American country was planning on granting the exemptions but had not had the opportunity to negotiate the issue directly with Washington. He would not say how much aid had been cut off. Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie said his government probably would not agree to the exemption request, but would seek a special waiver from the United States allowing it to continue receiving military aid.
No deal, Perry, sign on the dotted line.
Posted by:Steve White

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