Edwards calls for engaging international institutions (supports International Criminal Court)

Edwards calls for engaging international institutions
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Associated Press
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GRINNELL (AP) — Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said Saturday that President Bush's negligence of international institutions has hurt America's position as a global leader.

Edwards, speaking to more than 300 people in Grinnell, said he has supported groups like the International Criminal Court since his days as a U.S. senator from North Carolina and would continue to do so as president.

The U.S. is currently not a member of the international court, located in The Hague in The Netherlands, which usually hears cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Bush administration has opposed the court in the past, saying it threatens U.S. sovereignty.

``What's happened with Bush is America is disengaged from international institutions in general and the ICC is one of those,'' he said. ``And if America wants to be a leader in the world and we want to be respected by other countries and treated in a way we like to be treated, then we're going to have to show that we're willing to engage with the international community.''

He said the U.S. also needs to show its commitment to international treaties if it's going to resuscitate its reputation abroad.

``The world has to see America doing things that aren't in our short-term selfish interests,'' Edwards said.

He said the U.S. should make primary school education available to 100 million children worldwide and lead the effort in causes such as ending genocide in Darfur, curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS and ensuring access to sanitary water. Microlending and microfinancing are viable methods of economic development and employment, he added.
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