Why is Europe so concerned with Gaddafi's death being a war crime?

[Rick Lee]

They didn't have a problem doing business with Libya while Gaddafi was brutalizing his people, even before he admitted his hand in Pan Am 103 and made restitution. They didn't have a problem bombing a sovereign state outside NATO's territory and which posed no threat at all to NATO. In fact, NATO's bombing is what facilitated Gaddafi going into hiding and the rebels living long enough to find and kill him. Why is this a war crime? What treaty did Libya sign that binds their rebels to giving the dictator they ovethrow a fair trial? I'm used to this kind of nonsense coming from the US gov't., but this has to be the height of European arrogance.

Gaddafi death 'may be a war crime', says chief prosecutor at The Hague | Mail Online

[widgeon13]

The Hague, isn't that like the ACLU over here. I don't believe European countries are condemning the death of Gaddafi.

[fintstone]

Because we broke international law to put him into the position where he was tortured and executed. They are right to feel guilty...as should our administration. It does sort of set a precedent as well...

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Because we broke international law to put him into the position where he was tortured and executed. They are right to feel guilty...as should our administration. It does sort of set a precedent as well...

Um....er....I don't think that has anything to do witih the Hague's motives.

[fintstone]

If not guilt...then what? They should be trying the leaders of the countries that attacked Libya, but that will never happen...as it is themselves.

[RWebb]

What law did "we" break? "we broke international law to put him into the position..."

[944Larry]

they're trying to find something to take their mind off the sinking Euro.

[dentist90]

I'm kind of thinking that if it's a war crime, it's a civil war crime. Wasn't it Libyan citizens that finished him off?

[fintstone]

We bombed the heck out of his country in an attempt to overthrow the govt.

What law did "we" break? "we broke international law to put him into the position..."

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by 944Larry

they're trying to find something to take their mind off the sinking Euro.

Bingo!

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by fintstone

We bombed the heck out of his country in an attempt to overthrow the govt.

"we" ???

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by RWebb

"we" ???

The United States military.

[RWebb]

What exactly did the United States military do in Libya?

not the British and French components of NATO...

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by RWebb

What exactly did the United States military do in Libya?

not the British and French components of NATO...

about 112 tomahawk missiles (x about $1.5M each) on the first day alone.

With no-fly zone in Libya now, US-led coalition freer to attack - CSMonitor.com

Crisis in Libya: U.S. bombs Qaddafi's airfields - World Watch - CBS News

[DanielDudley]

If I were complaining about the legitimacy of this execution, as a world power, it would be so that I could support the creation of a government with a leader who would show favor to my desires, whatever they may be.

[Noah930]

So a Libyan offs Ghadaffi and that's a war crime. But the U.S. taking out OBL (in a sovereign, foreign country, no less) is OK? The Hague doesn't have a problem with the latter?

Personally I have no problem with either.

[fintstone]

Personally, I believe that both were crimes...if Obama was unarmed and executed as reported. Murdering Alwaki was worse though.

[RWebb]

The attacks on Libya were in adherence with International Law. Not to say that NATO has not owned up to civilian deaths. But please post what actions violated what law if you believe otherwise.

US missile and B2 attacks were as a component of NATO. This is exactly the way the US should be fighting (as long as we can get NATO to go along in future conflicts, which will happen...).

[Rick Lee]

Libya didn't attack NATO and is nowhere near NATO's protected area. They never posed a threat to NATO in the least. I haven't read NATO's charter in a while, but a civil war in a country far from NATO's protected area and that has nothing to do with NATO is not considered an attack on any NATO member. And if there was any crime involved it was Obama's complete ignoring of the War Powers Act and Congress's letting him skate for it. Maybe they'll take away his Nobel Peace Prize for it.

[RWebb]

nope