As an introduction I will do my best to provide a brief outline of what behaviour constitutes crimes in terms of the international law. This will be posted as a three part series.
Crimes against the peace
This crime was first established during the Nuremberg Trials in which Nazi leaders were prosecuted for crimes that was committed during World War 2.
Under the Nuremberg Principles, the supreme international crime is that of commencing a war of aggression, because it is the crime from which all war crimes follow. The definition of such a crime is planning, preparing, initiating, or waging a war of aggression, or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements, or assurances. Also, participating in a common plan or conspiracy for the accomplishment of any such act constitutes such a crime. Refer to the definition and summary provided by Wikipedia.
To plan, conspire, prepare, initiate and/or wage a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances against another sovereign state is the supreme crime in terms of international law. During the Nuremberg Trials Von Ribbentrop was for instance convicted and executed for this crime.
Consider the diplomatic efforts within the UN and the passing of Resolution 1441. Take into consideration the investigations and reports by Hans Blitz, UN Chief Weapons Inspector with between 800 and 1000 inspectors and Mohammad Al Baradei, Chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Further take into account the highly unconving statements by people like President George W Bush, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell (Remember his address of the UN Security Council?), Tony Blair, etc and consider, against the outline of the international law provided above, whether a prima facie case exists of a crime against the peace being committed.
Also read the Articles of Impeachment of Pres George W Bush, Vice-President Richard B Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Defense Donals H Rumsfeld and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in ImpeachBush for some more background.
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