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Julio Gonzalez, M.D., J.D. The United States was handed yet another snub by the United Nations on Wednesday when its International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered it to undue those sanctions against Iran that would interfere with the importation of humanitarian goods and services to that country. Specifically, the court ordered the United States to remove those sanctions dealing with "medicine and medical devices, food and agricultural commodities and spare parts and equipment necessary to ensure the safety of civil aviation." The United States immediately cried foul with John Bolton, the United States National Security Advisor, pointing out that the ICJ had allowed itself to be used "as a forum for propaganda" by Iran. Iran contended that the United States' actions of reinstating sanctions in May were in breach of the Treaty of Amity signed in 1955 between Dwight D. Eisenhower and King Mohammad Reza Shah. This treaty included an arbitration agreement of sorts that would make the ICJ the arbiter of any disputes between the two nations. But the sanctions dispute was not the only contention made by Iran before the ICJ. It also arguedthat the United States had acted illegally in unilaterally withdrawing from the Iran nuclear accord, a charge the ICJ rejected. However, the ICJ sided unanimously with Iran in its contentions regarding sanctions against products and services necessary for humanitarian aid. The ruling also declared that the international community viewed the reimposition of sanctions by the United States as illegal. United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo responded by immediately withdrawing the United States from the Treaty and activating its one-year termination clause under Article XXIII. In the meantime, Bolton contended that the Treaty could not be considered in force in light of Iran's hostile behavior towards the United States and the community of nations. "Iran is a rogue regime," he said. "It has been a threat throughout the Middle East, not only for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, but it's (sic) acted for several decades as the central banker for international terrorism." Of course, Bolton is correct in his assertion. Article I of the Treaty calls for "a firm and enduring peace and sincere friendship between the United States of America and Iran," a provision that was permanently and irreversibly violated by Iran with the swarming of the American Embassy and the taking of American hostages for 444 days in 1979. Among others, that act of hostility violated numerous other provisions of the Treaty designed to guarantee the rights and safety of the nationals and companies in Iran. Additionally, Iran's numerous actions of hostility towards the United States and its regional neighbors have cut to shreds any semblance of a treaty. Regardless, because the Treaty still exists on paper, the ICJ decided to honor it, thus giving the Iranian regime ammunition with which to call the United States "an outlaw regime." In light of the irreparable deterioration of relations between the two countries and the widespread disregard of the provisions of the Treaty, it is amazing that the United States did not withdraw years ago, an observation that did not escape John Bolton. "Given this history and Iran's abuse of the ICJ, we will commence a review of all international agreements that may still expose the United States to purported binding jurisdiction and dispute resolution in the International Court of Justice." It's high time we did. Dr. Julio Gonzalez is an orthopaedic surgeon and lawyer living in Venice, Florida. He is the author of The Federalist Pages and serves in the Florida House of Representatives. He can be reached through www.thefederalistpages.com to arrange a lecture or book signing.
2 Comments
Robert Greenwald
10/8/2018 05:15:04 am
Another great article by Dr. Gonzales. It would be hard for me to believe that if this article was written in the N.Y. Times that any rational reader could determine the partisanship of the writer. It would be nice if in the blog, a URL of the facts could be placed, because I suspect that our brilliant Dr. has to do some research for some of what he writes. I on the other hand (with tongue in cheek) can say I remember it all. Not in detail, and not because I have a great memory, but because I was alive and aware when most of this happened. One of Dr. Gonzalez's gifts is to paint an essay/blog that puts everything in chronological and rational order so that most anyone can feel like they lived it and were there. So another occupation for the Doctor and Lawyer, and possible future statesman, would be a professor of civics or law at a University. If Dr. Gonzalez was Jewish he would now say, "Oy vay, what is this mashugana commenter wishing on me, doesn't he think I am busy enough"?
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Gina Arabitg, MD
10/9/2018 09:50:56 am
To Iran... NO.
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Julio Gonzalez, M.D., J.D.Dr. Gonzalez is an orthopedic surgeon and lawyer who served as State Representative for South Sarasota County in Florida for four years. He is the author of Heathcare Reform: The Truth, The Federalist Pages, and The Case for Free Market Healthcare. Archives
April 2019
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