Two recent events have highlighted the complicated international problems faced by the United States. The first is that United States forces were involved in the death of Afghan citizens. The exact facts may never be known. There is a Defense Department investigation going on which will take some time. There is outrage in Afghanistan and, of course, condemnation by some nations around the world.

The second event is the United States' refusal to become part of the United Nations Criminal Court. President Bush followed the Secretary of Defense's recommendation and overruled Secretary of State Powell. This Court would have worldwide jurisdiction, which would overrule state sovereignty. The United States feels that its peacekeepers all over the world would be at risk. The United States, as a negotiating tool, talked about withdrawing its forces from places such as Bosnia. Such a withdrawal could cause a domino effect in that other nations would withdraw their forces. There is intense negotiation going on trying to find a solution. At the present time the United States is the only one of the fifteen countries on the UN Security Council who has not acquiesced to this new Court.

The bombing in Afghanistan illustrates the dilemma faced by the U.S. There will be enough evidence from this incident that someone could allege that United States forces acted criminally. This would allow the servicemen and women involved in the incident and possibly commanders up the line to be tried in the Court. The odds are the prosecution would never hold, but the mere involvement in the process would be detrimental to United States military efforts worldwide and to the morale of United States troops.

The United States desperately would like to find a way out of the situation. It is not in the interest of the United States to pull its peacekeepers out of areas where they are helpful, especially if part of coalition forces. It also puts tremendous strain on the United States in its desire to keep the coalition against terrorism together, especially if we are going to attack Iraq. The United States is the only superpower in the world but with that comes tremendous problems, including having troops all around the world. For many countries, there is no problem, as they have peacekeepers in only a few locations. There is no easy solution. Hopefully, the United States will find a way to work with the new criminal court, but establish exemptions for troops who are in peacekeeping roles. It is my guess that the President will not make major concessions. He has shown the ability in the past to make tough decisions and stick to them, such as with the Kyoto treaty. This will not help the United States' public relations worldwide. Yet President Bush has very little wiggle room on this issue.

Lou Frey represented Central Florida in the U. S. Congress from 1969 to 1979. In his last election, he received 78% of the vote. He was elected one of five Republican leaders in the House of Representatives during the 93^rd and 94^th Congress. He served on...