A Far Justice Read Free Page A

coincidence was too much and she was certain that Scullanois was also playing the old game of sex and politics. While she accepted that as part of life, something deep inside rebelled and demanded a little payback. But that would have to wait. “They are a culture of the moment, and now they use globalization as a weapon. Truly, it is the new American colonialism, and they are incapable of thinking beyond the next quarterly balance sheet.” Her voice rang with the same clarity that made her a force in the courtroom. But more importantly, the very inflection of her tone captured the genetic codes buried deep in the language that defined the French psyche.
    “Your investigation could not have come at a more opportune moment,” the foreign minister said. He waited to see if she understood the political ramifications of her investigation.
    She did. “You are, of course, referring to the United States’ feeble efforts in the United Nations to stop the Chinese from re-establishing their sovereignty over Taiwan.”
    “Chinese patience is at an end,” Scullanois said. “They are preparing to use military force if necessary. Their preparations should be complete by the first of the year. Of course, the United States is trying to use the UN to constrain China. We are ready to support the United States in the Security Council, if they become a member of the International Criminal Court.”
    “Which will never happen,” Denise added. “They claim it would subject their military to our jurisdiction in any conflict beyond their borders.” She allowed a tight smile. “Which it would.”
    Scullanois came to the heart of the matter. “If you can bring an American to trial for war crimes, it will offer us an opportunity to establish an alliance with China. It will convince the Chinese that their interests are our interests. How better to do this than by embarrassing the United States in the court of world opinion and allowing China to regain Taiwan? We can change the orientation of China away from the United States and towards France. This can open economic windows that we can build into a greater Franco-Sino axis.”
    “But all this would be in violation of the constitution of the EU,” Denise said, touching on a subject best avoided by mere mortals. But they were above those constraints.
    Scullanois answered in a low voice. “Then the European Union must not learn of it. Unfortunately, the minister of justice tells me there are, ah, other ‘legal’ difficulties with your investigation.”
    “There is a jurisdictional problem,” she replied. “We can only try an individual from a country that is a member of the court.”
    “A major difficulty as the United States is not a member,” he allowed.
    “The Americans allow this foolishness called ‘dual citizenship.’ We must find an American soldier who was born in a country that recognizes this dual citizenship and is also a member of the court. Of course, he must have fought in the Iraqi war and killed at least one civilian.”
    Scullanois thought for a moment. “But considering the American position on the court, imprisoning one of their citizens is politically unthinkable.”
    A whisper of a smile flickered across her lips. She believed that the current president of the United States was a fool and she was more than willing to challenge him. “We have a narrow window to act while the United States is occupied by the Taiwan crisis. As long as the Americans need Europe’s support in the United Nations, they will not risk our anger by challenging the court’s jurisdiction. We can extend that window by delaying in the United Nations.”
    Scullanois thought for a moment. “Can the court act fast enough?”
    “With the proper help, it can.” She stressed the word “help.”
    “Brilliant,” Scullanois said. He wanted to ask her about Chrestien’s role in all this but thought better of it. There might be some hidden costs he had not considered. However, he was