The Bush Administration and the Decline of International Relations
...States’ decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) has many countries confused. “In the summer of 2003, U.S. officials demanded Serbia hand over suspected war criminals to the ICC, but at the same time they requested Serbia sign a treaty obliging it not to deliver any U.S. citizens suspected of war crimes or other crimes against humanity.” (Zizek 46). There is hope when a world law and court are established it will help to detour some of the atrocities taking place. Professor Zizek says, “The U.S. government is currently seeking bilateral agreements with as many countries as possible…The Bush administration is… threatening economic sanctions such as the termination of military aid if countries do not comply with U.S. demands.” (46) Once again Bush is taking a hard line approach: either you see it our way or we will not help you. This can do nothing but cause animosity between the U.S. and other countries. Bush is creating a Lose/Lose situation; we lose because countries will despise U.S. even more, and they lose because we are forcing them to go with our ideas. On 2 August 2002, President George W. Bush signed the supplemental appropriations bill, making the American Service members' Protection Act binding U.S. law. This allows the use of military force to free any citizen of the U.S. being held by the ICC. “In addition, the law provides for the withdrawal of U.S. military assistance from countries ratifying the ICC treaty, and restricts U.S. participation in United Nations peacekeeping unless the U.S. obtains immunity from prosecution.” (ICC United States of America) Imagine a country that believes in the ICC but at the same time you rely on aid from the U.S. What is one to do? Either they give up their right to choose to support the ICC, a right that the U.S. is supposed to be for, or continue receiving aid. Bush’s decision to go to war against Iraq was largely unsupported by the rest of the world. Even in Britain, the only major nation who supported America’s threat of military action against Iraq, only about 33% supported the U.S. war effort. In other polls an overwhelming percentage of citizens from other countries such as Canada, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Japan did not support the war. This is not something that one should take lightly. Instead the Bush administration did take it lightly, and turned a blind eye to what the rest of the world thought should be done. As a result over 50% questioned said their opinions of America had worsened over the past two to three years. This is a direct reflection of the policies that Bush has implemented. Only in Israel did more people say their view of the United States had improved than worsened in the past two to three years. This same poll showed 8/10 countries heavily favored Senator Kerry over President Bush for the 2004 elections. (Gardner n. pag) Bush is obviously a man not well liked abroad. How can the Bush administration lessen the anti-Americanism established world wide? They can begin by helping other countries when they need it. Not just when the global spotlight is on something like the tsunami disaster in Indochina. We can help those countries in ...