USA: Steve Rapp Nominated For State Department War Crimes Post

By MATTHEW WILDE
WCF Courier.com
The Cedar Valley's Home Page
July 9, 2009

[All Rwandans who think that the enemy they are facing is Kagame....should read this book review: UN Security Council in 2008: “The Dangerous Del Ponte/Hartmann ICTY/ICTR Memoirs Must Be Suppressed, and the Authors Prosecuted!” (Which is Why All “Human Rights” Advocates Must Read Them) by Professor Peter Erlinder.

And realize that the Obama War Crimes Ambassador Steven Rapp was part of the cover-up of RPF crimes at the ICTR.

Kagame exists because of:
1. Pentagon support and US need for African troops, so US troops are not necessary in Africa;

2. State Dept cannot admit that it has been complicit in covering up RPF crimes since at least August 1994;
3. If Kagame ever IS prosecuted, he will reveal the deep involvement of US Pentagon in RPF invasion from the early days;

4. Kagame is a convenient front for the Pentagon, and is allowed free rein as long has he is useful to more powerful forces....he is the attack dog on the leash...he is not holding the leash;

Obama cannot change the above, but pressure and exposure of RPF crimes may make it embarrassing to continue support of Kagame...like Mobutu in the Congo. But, the focus on Kagame...is only the local expression of a much, much deeper problem...that is difficult to face, because it is so difficult to fight!

And here we go-Steven Rapp is nominated for war crimes tsar-if confirmed-there is no way he will give up himself!!-MK/HTPJ].
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WATERLOO- A Cedar Falls native who also lived in Waterloo was nominated Tuesday to become the next Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues for the U.S. Department of State.

Stephen J. Rapp was among eight people picked by President Barack Obama for various key administration posts. Rapp has served as prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone since January 2007, leading the prosecutions of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other persons for atrocities during the civil war in Sierra Leone.

“I am confident that these skilled and dedicated individuals will diligently work to serve the American people, keeping our country safe at home and abroad,” President Obama said in a statement. “I look forward to working with them in the future.”

Rapp’s new job is dependent on Senate approval. Rapp e-mailed The Courier stating he couldn’t comment on the appointment or what he’s expected to do in the position.

“If confirmed, I will leave the position of prosecutor after ensuring a smooth transition to my successor and the availability of personnel and resources to complete the trial of Charles Taylor,” Rapp said.

Iowa Republican Sen. Charles Grassley said he welcomes Obama’s choice of Rapp for the job. “Steve Rapp has the respect of people around the world, and has been a leader in prosecuting war crimes committed against civilian populations. He is an ideal person for the job.”

Prior to prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity — Rapp also helped convict leaders of mass media in Rwanda for the crime of Incitement to Commit Genocide — Rapp served as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa from 1993 to 2001. He also was a former Iowa state legislator and Black Hawk County Democratic chairman who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in the 1970s.

Contact the author at matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com

Related Materials:
The US Destructive Role In The Rwandan Tragedy