The International Criminal Court is coming. (Insider Report).(Brief Article)

On April 11th at United Nations headquarters, a journey that began in Rome in July of 1998 reached its final stage: Ten nations deposited their ratifications of the Rome Statute simultaneously, jointly sharing the honor of bringing the International Criminal Court (ICC) into existence.

Internationalists promoting the criminal court have openly acknowledged the grandiose plans they have for it. Richard Dicker, director of the International Justice Program at Human Rights Watch, stated that "the International Criminal Court is potentially the most important human rights institution created in 50 years. It will be the court where the Saddam Husseins, Pol Pots and Augusto Pinochets of the future are held to account."

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court used remarkably similar language in an April 11th press statement: "The ICC will function not only as a mechanism for ensuring just recourse under the law, it will also serve as a powerful deterrent to the future Pinochets, Pol Pots and Milosevics of the world."

The references in these statements to former anti-Communist Chilean leader Augusto Pinochet is perhaps intended as a not-so-subtle warning to future world leaders who attempt to fight Communism in their homelands. Recall that Henry Kissinger referred to Pinochet's kidnapping and detention by British officials as a "landmark" in establishing the concept of "universal jurisdiction." The veiled threat seems to be: Oppose the one-wonders and the Communists and you will be hauled before the ICC.

The Bush administration has thus far opposed U.S. ratification of the Rome Statute (signed by President Clinton in the final days of his administration). So too have members ...