Wednesday, May 18, 2005

BUSH ON TRIAL

WORLD TRIBUNAL ON IRAQ REPRESENTATIVES
DELIVER LAW SUMMONS TO BUSH

Tuesday May 17, 2005, Brussels - Today, representatives of the World Tribunal on Iraq (WTI) delivered a law summon and invitation letter addressed to President Bush at the US Embassy in Brussels.

The WTI representatives invited George Bush to the final hearing of the World Tribunal on Iraq that will take place in Istanbul between 23-27 of June 2005. It is part of a global action day, as similar actions took place in Lisbon, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Istanbul, Tokyo and New York.

In Brussels a number of activists arrived at the US Embassy with a huge banner reading "President Bush, the World holds you accountable". The activists also presented a letter to the US officials at the Embassy.

In front of the US Embassy today, Prof. Lieven De Cauter, initiator of the BRussells Tribunal, and spokesperson for the WTI in Belgium, said: "Since the US administration does not recognize the International Criminal Court (ICC), the citizens of the world have undertaken an initiative to reclaim justice. The world is calling for Bush to be held accountable for the crimes committed in Iraq."

The World Tribunal on Iraq (WTI) is a worldwide undertaking to reclaim justice. It aims to record the severe wrongs, crimes and violations that were committed in the process leading up to the aggression against Iraq, during the war and throughout the ensuing occupation, that continue to be widespread to this day. The project consists of commissions of inquiry and sessions held around the world investigating various issues related to the war on Iraq, such as the legality of the war, the role of the United Nations, war crimes and the role of the media as well as the social, political, environmental and cultural devastation.

On June 23rd to the 27th 2005, at the start of the third year of the occupation of Iraq, the culminating session will take place in Istanbul. This session will reach a decision following an examination of the results of the previous sessions as well as new reports and testimonies, while evaluating the implications of the aggression against Iraq for the world at large.

"We ask Mr. Bush to present his case in front of the jury of conscience in Istanbul. We are fully aware that this is a symbolical action but we firmly believe that international law should be respected and that war crimes should not be met by indemnity" concluded Mr. De Cauter.

For more information please contact, tel.0032/477 61 74 20 or 0032/494 68 07 62

E-mail: info@brusselstribunal.org - The Brussels Tribunal

Video of statement read in front of the Embassy (prof. Lieven De Cauter in English; prof. Lieven De Cauter in Dutch; prof. Jean Bricmont in French)

By WTI posted 18 May 05

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