Is our Secretary of State a War Criminal?
At the end of July, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice traveled to New Zealand. Little did she know that she would be met with protesters.
The AUSA, one of the country’s largest student organizations, offered a $5,000 reward for a citizen’s arrest of Condoleezza Rice. The AUSA states that Rice’s role in 
overseeing the Iraq invasion, and continued occupation, is in direct contradiction with the Geneva Convention. New Zealand citizens believe Rice is responsible for sanctioning war crimes and torture:
“Rice is the public spokesperson for an illegal and immoral occupation that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the continued oppression of the people of Iraq. We believe Rice should be arrested and detained in accordance with the law and tried fairly at the International Criminal Court for her role in these war crimes,” said AUSA International Affairs Officer Omar Hamed, who moved the motion for the reward at Monday’s AUSA Executive meeting.
Protesters stood outside the Government building while Rice met with officials. They burned American flags, raised signs calling her a War Criminal, and attempted to bring attention to the controversial issue of Free Trade. Over the course of the protests, the $5,000 reward was doubled by another New Zealand student organization. “Although several people turned up to the demo with handcuffs, the chance to nab Rice didn’t present itself. Police refused to cooperate in the arrest of this war criminal, giving the irrelevant excuse that she is a visiting dignitary.”
Needless to say, Rice was not arrested. However, the movement to hold her accountable has clearly begun. IndyMedia states that the New Zealand Police “can now consider themselves accessories to war crimes.”
5 responses so far
I am actually reading “The Dark Side,” Right now- it gives amazing insight into Cheney and Rice and how idiotic they both are.
War criminal? I’m not so sure. But do I think there are plenty of people in the current administration who have exhibited criminal behaviors? Absolutely. Without a doubt. I will not be sorry to see them go.
It is amazing the impact that labeling something has on people’s perceptions of it. I remember this issue coming up when there were debates over the popular media’s calling it the War in Iraq, rather than the invasion.
This is like that almost everywhere in the world, unfortunately. The only solution to this is awareness.
Good post.