> Chris Burford wrote:
>
> > A torturing fascist Chilean dictator has been held in a gilded cage in
> > London for over a year, as a result of unprecedented developments of
> > international law.
> >
> > Even if he is dementing and now escapes prosecution, the precedent has been
> > created which for ever lifts the international immunity of fascists.
> >
It is pretty obvious that while it does *nothing* to control fascists (since most fascists are friends of the states that "enforce" this illusory law), it has (among other disastrous results) seriously cramped the right of progressive leaders of the world to attend international conferences. I prevented Castro's appearance at the WTO conference in Seattle. The arrest of Pinochet in England and the invasion of Panama to kidnap Norieaga are two of the more sinister developments of the last 10 years. Their political implications are similar to those of the Gulf War, the blockade of Nicaragua, and the aggression against Yugoslavia. They provide a cover-up of legality for the depredations of the U.S. and its allies.
Fascists need not worry. Progressive heads of states and other annoyances to U.S. imperialism do need to worry.
Carrol