VOA标准英语2009年-Palestinians Demand ICC Investigate Possible Ga

The International Criminal Court in The Hague is examining a demand by the Palestinian Authority to investigate possible war crimes during Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.
　
Overview¹ of The Great Hall of Justice at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, (2009 file photo)

The Palestinian Authority first demanded last month that the International Criminal Court examine its argument for potential war crimes charges against Israel in connection with the war in Gaza. According to reports, Palestinian officials are due back in The Hague shortly to press their claim. And the court's prosecutor², Luis Moreno Ocampo, appears to be examining the matter.

But there are many obstacles to taking on such a case. For one, neither Israel nor the Palestinian territories are members of the court - although in January, the Palestinian Authority signed a motion recognizing the court's authority.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks is the status of the Palestinian territories. Anthony Dworkin is an expert on international justice at the Council on Foreign Relations in London.

"The obvious question this throws up, which is of course an enormously controversial question, is whether the Palestinian authority qualifies as a state for the purposes of being able to be recognized by the court ... so that is the decision the court will have to make," he said.
　
Senior Hamas leader Mahmud Zahar (l) and top Hamas official Said Siam (r) return from Egypt at the border at Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on 02 Feb 2009

There are other problems. The Palestinian Authority, which solicited³ the criminal court, is not in control of Gaza, its rival Hamas is. Were the court to take on the case, Dworkin said it would examine allegations of war crimes committed by both Israel and Hamas.

There may be ways in which the court can take up the Palestinian Authority's case short of implicitly⁴ recognizing statehood, but Dworkin doubts it will ultimately go down that road.

"And I think for a young institution like the international criminal court to take such an enormously difficult step ... it seems to me highly unlikely they would do that. Even leaving aside the question ... of whether the Palestinian authority meets the criteria⁵ for statehood," he said.

The Hague court was set up to examine war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. It is allowed to prosecute⁶ any citizen from the 108 nations belonging to it. Its first trial began last month against a former Congolese warlord.

The court has denied reports it has issued an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, although it is considering the matter.

1 overview   

n.概观，概述

参考例句：

• The opening chapter gives a brief historical overview of transport.第一章是运输史的简要回顾。
• The seminar aims to provide an overview on new media publishing.研讨会旨在综览新兴的媒体出版。

2 prosecutor   

n.起诉人；检察官，公诉人

参考例句：

• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。
• The prosecutor would tear your testimony to pieces.检查官会把你的证言驳得体无完肤。

3 solicited   

v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求

参考例句：

• He's already solicited their support on health care reform. 他已就医疗改革问题请求他们的支持。 来自辞典例句
• We solicited ideas from Princeton University graduates and under graduates. 我们从普林斯顿大学的毕业生与大学生中征求意见。 来自辞典例句

4 implicitly   

adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地

参考例句：

• Many verbs and many words of other kinds are implicitly causal. 许多动词和许多其他类词都蕴涵着因果关系。
• I can trust Mr. Somerville implicitly, I suppose? 我想，我可以毫无保留地信任萨莫维尔先生吧？

5 criteria   

n.标准

参考例句：

• The main criterion is value for money.主要的标准是钱要用得划算。
• There are strict criteria for inclusion in the competition.参赛的标准很严格。

6 prosecute   

vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官

参考例句：

• I am trying my best to prosecute my duties.我正在尽力履行我的职责。
• Is there enough evidence to prosecute?有没有起诉的足够证据？