NETHERLANDS

NETHERLANDS
de Volkskrant, Amsterdam, July 7: In John Edwards, Kerry has made a safe rather than a surprising choice. The senator from North Carolina gives cover in places where Kerry is vulnerable. He has a more youthful appearance and a more simple background. He's folksier in his approach, speaks with more fire and comes from a southern state where conservative values are held in high esteem.
Republican bulwark
Perhaps he may help the Democratic ticket to more support in the South, but not too much should be expected on this point. It's become a Republican bulwark and it would be a major achievement if he manages to pry even one state loose.
Above all, a running mate must not make blunders, but even if they do it's no big deal. In the end, it's Kerry people will have to vote for if he is to win.
JORDAN
The Jordan Times, Amman, July 7: The trial in The Hague of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic before the war crimes tribunal on the former Yugoslavia appears to be open-ended after dragging on for two years now.
Even before this former leader fell ill, the international legal process was too slow and too lenient in passing sentences. The trial of other people accused of committing crimes in Croatia, Bosnia or Kosovo had also been dogged by repeated delays. And the sentences were too lenient for the crimes.
This makes one wonder whether it was worthwhile to rely on the International Criminal Court to administer justice. It would seem that reliance on national court systems serves justice better.
Most probably, these courts pass judgments at a faster pace and apply sentences that are commensurate with the gravity of the crimes committed.
Better model
The Sierra Leone war crimes tribunal could serve as a better model than its counterparts in The Hague or the U.N.-created tribunal on war crimes committed in Rwanda.
The Sierra Leone tribunal is situated right where the crimes were committed. This makes the trials easier, cheaper and more effective.