Justice for those behind war crimes

The Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called for Tony Blair and George Bush to be taken to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for their role in the Iraq war.

His comment: “If it is acceptable for leaders to take drastic action on the basis of a lie, without an acknowledgement or an apology when they are found out, what should we teach our children?” refers to lies told by Bush and Blair about the reasons for attacking Iraq.

In response, Tony Blair said that “to repeat the old canard that we lied about the intelligence is completely wrong”.

Who should we believe, the Archbishop or those accused of war crimes?

Milosevic, Karadzic, and some African war lords have justifiably been indicted before war crimes tribunals in The Hague, but in our flawed international system the likes of Bush and Blair will never be held to account.

Will Irish politicians, who were also complicit in facilitating war crimes and torture, by allowing US troops and CIA rendition planes to transit through Shannon airport, ever be held to account?

Edward Horgan

Newtown

Castletroy

Co Limerick