Stiffing "New" Europe

The US Government has announced that it is ending Military Aid to 35 countries. Why is it doing that? Is it because those countries support terrorism? Is it because these countries have poor Human Rights records? No.

These countries will be exempted from US Military largesse because they support the existence of the ICC, or International Criminal Court. In particular, these countries do not want to exempt the US and its citizens and military from prosecution by this court. Mentioned by the Reuters story is that among the countries are Colombia and many countries of the former Soviet bloc.

This suspension of aid is described as an incentive for these countries to remove their support for the ICC and to sign an agreement exempting the US. This is diplomatic hardball.

But I don't think it's wise. For one thing, it reflects an arrogant exceptionalism on the part of the US. As an American, I think international law should apply universally. If some nation, army, or individual commits a war crime or genocide, I would like that party prosecuted, no matter who it is. I understand that many in the Bush White House think that the ICC could lead to malicious, arbitrary, and politically motivated prosecution on behalf of parties that reflexively oppose American interests. After all, that happens in international bodies like the UN, where resolutions are brought against, say, Israel, whose human rights record, though nothing to be proud of, is nothing compared to neighbors like Egypt and Syria. But for the Bush to oppose the ICC so adamantly, and to insist that others exempt it from prosecution, sends the message that the US isn't subject to the same rules as everyone else.

I'm really not too well informed about the utility of America's military support of Colombia, and what I understand makes me ambivalent, but I think that suspending it is probably a bad idea. Colombia has one of the most significant terrorism problems in the world. Narcoterrorists and Marxist guerrillas (often the same groups) kill and kidnap hundreds if not thousands every year. If America is to lead a war on terrorism, it would be foolish to stiff Colombia.

To return to the title of this post, I think the real stupidity of this decision is that in many cases, we are punishing the same countries that allied with us during the Iraq war. The same countries, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, and Bulgaria, that supported our war largely against the wishes of their countrymen are, after that gesture of support, having their military aid shut off. Remember, these are countries Rumsfeld identified as a virtuous "New Europe." This demonstrates, as has been demonstrated many times, that with the Bush administration, loyalty is a one-way street. Such is the White House's arrogance and ingratitude.