Prosecutor Says Bush and Blair Could Face War Crime Charges At Hague (Gethin Chamberlain)

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George W. Bush and Tony Blair face the prospect of an International Criminal Court investigation for alleged coalition war crimes in Iraq, the court's chief prosecutor says.

Court 'can envisage' prosecution

By Gethin Chamberlain -- Sunday Telegraph

March 17, 2007 -- Tony Blair faces the prospect of an International Criminal Court investigation for alleged coalition war crimes in Iraq.

The court's chief prosecutor told The Sunday Telegraph that he would be willing to launch an inquiry and could envisage a scenario in which the Prime Minister and American President George W Bush could one day face charges at The Hague.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo urged Arab countries, particularly Iraq, to sign up to the court to enable allegations against the West to be pursued. Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations said that his country was actively considering signing up.

America has refused to accept the court's jurisdiction and is unlikely to hand over any of its citizens to face trial. However, Britain has signed up and the Government has indicated its willingness to tackle accusations of war crimes against a number of British soldiers.

Human rights lawyers remain skeptical about whether charges will ever be brought.

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