Q: Kevin RyanThank you. I have 2 questions about the International Court. The first is, if we were back together, 5 years from now, or 10 years from now, what are the specific differences or improvements you’d like to see happen at that point, and the second is, what role do see for the United States, and what role do you think they should play. A: AnnanI hope that 10 years from now, the court will have established its credentials, would have gone through as many cases as possible, and demonstrated to the world that this is a serious court by the world. This is a court that is going to send out a message to the world that impunity will not be allowed stand, and regardless of your status, that if you have committed horrendous crimes you will pay for it. The court has very good procedures, and it does protect governments from religious persecution [screening process] The US didn’t want them to get involved, and tried to get exemption for US troops, so that they will not be brought to court. When the inter council refused to endorse, they went and signed with the Europeans and their governments, some of whom [inaudible]. My own view, is given the exposure of the US in the world, the US in time, is going to need the court, more than any other country. Because it’s not every day that you can pick up criminals, terrorists, and deal with them yourself, it’s not every day that you will have governments cooperating, but you need to have a court and a mechanism for dealing with security. And I can’t think of any other country that’s more exposed globally than the US. And if the court proves itself, establishes its credential, the US will attend to it. [audible] |