Obama gives foreign cops new police powers in U.S.

[Freedom1911]

Obama gives foreign cops new police powers in U.S.

Sovereignty apparently set aside as agency exempted from law

Posted: December 28, 2009
8:57 pm Eastern

By Bob Unruh
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=120363

© 2009 WorldNetDaily

A little-discussed executive order from President Obama giving foreign cops new police powers in the United States by exempting them from such drudgery as compliance with the Freedom of Information Act is raising alarm among commentators who say INTERPOL already had most of the same privileges as diplomats.

At David Horowitz's Newsreal, Michael van der Galien said the issue is Obama's expansion of President Ronald Reagan's order from 1983 that originally granted those diplomatic privileges.

Reagan's order carried certain exemptions requiring that INTERPOL operations be subject to several U.S. laws such as the Freedom of Information Act. Obama, however, removed those restrictions in his Dec. 16 amendment to Executive Order 12425.

That means, van der Galien wrote today, "this foreign law enforcement organization can operate free of an important safeguard against government and abuse."

"'Property and assets,' including the organization's records, cannot be searched or seized. Their physical locations are now immune from U.S. legal or investigative authorities," he wrote.

Obama's order said he was removing the Reagan limitations on INTERPOL: "AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER 12425 DESIGNATING INTERPOL AS A PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION ENTITLED TO ENJOY CERTAIN PRIVILEGES, EXEMPTIONS, AND IMMUNITIES
"By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 1 of the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288), and in order to extend the appropriate privileges, exemptions, and immunities to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), it is hereby ordered that Executive Order 12425 of June 16, 1983, as amended, is further amended by deleting from the first sentence the words "except those provided by Section 2(c), Section 3, Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 of that Act" and the semicolon that immediately precedes them," he wrote.

At the ThreatsWatch.org website, authors Steve Schippert and Clyde Middleton gave their interpretation of the result.

"In light of what we know and can observe, it is our logical conclusion that President Obama's Executive Order amending President Ronald Reagans' 1983 EO 12425 and placing INTERPOL above the United States Constitution and beyond the legal reach of our own top law enforcement is a precursor to more damaging moves," they wrote.

"When the paths on the road map converge – Iraq withdrawal, Guantánamo closure, perceived American image improved internationally, and an empowered INTERPOL in the United States – it is probable that President Barack Obama will once again make America a signatory to the International Criminal Court. It will be a move that surrenders American sovereignty to an international body whose INTERPOL enforcement arm has already been elevated above the Constitution and American domestic law enforcement," they said.

"For an added and disturbing wrinkle, INTERPOL's central operations office in the United States is within our own Justice Department offices. They are American law enforcement officers working under the aegis of INTERPOL within our own Justice Department. That they now operate with full diplomatic immunity and with 'inviolable archives' from within our own buildings should send red flags soaring into the clouds," they said.

"Ultimately, a detailed verbal explanation is due the American public from the President of the United States detailing why an international law enforcement arm assisting a court we are not a signatory to has been elevated above our Constitution upon our soil."

Records show that the original order designated INTERPOL as a public international organization. Reagan had extended "appropriate privileges, exemptions, and immunities," but kept it subject to searches and seizures under appropriate legal circumstances.

Obama's decision, analysts have concluded, exempted Interpol from all restrictions.

"This international law enforcement body now operates – now operates – on American soil beyond the reach of our own top law enforcement arm, the FBI, and is immune from Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) requests," ThreatsWatch reported.

At the Patriot Room, it was explained there is a reason for a certain level of immunity. "Before we get our knickers in a bunch, there is logic to this immunity. While we like our Constitution and laws, other countries like their Constitution and laws. It doesn't matter if the concept of personal freedom is more expansive here. If we expect immunity in their country, we have to extend it to them here."

But with Obama's change, "It means that we have an international police force authorized to act within the United States that is no longer subject to 4th Amendment Search and Seizure."

Anthony Martin at the Examiner noted the international agency now can operate in the U.S. will "full immunity" from U.S. laws and "with complete independence from oversight from the FBI."

At National Review Andy McCarthy asked, "Why would we elevate an international police force above American law? Why would we immunize an international police force from the limitations that constrain the FBI and other American law-enforcement agencies? Why is it suddenly necessary to have, within the Justice Department, a repository for stashing government files which, therefore, will be beyond the ability of Congress, American law-enforcement, the media, and the American people to scrutinize?"

At UNDispatch, which is a blog on the United Nations, Mark Leon Goldberg, who explained he worked at Interpol's headquarters in France in 2002, said there isn't much danger of INTERPOL agents whisking Americans off to jail. But he confirmed, "As to the specific reason why the Obama administration would decide, last week, to extend to INTERPOL the same suite of diplomatic privileges that are typically accorded to international organizations? I don't have a good answer for that. My sense is that it probably has something to with the accessibility of INTERPOL's secure criminal databases (on things like stolen passports and the like)."

But the Obama critics at the Obamafile weren't convinced. "By this EO, Obama has conferred diplomatic immunity upon INTERPOL, exemption from being subject to search and seizure by law enforcement, exemption from U.S. taxes, and immunity from FOIA requests, etc. … Does INTERPOL have a file on Obama – or his associations?"

 

[TxEMTP69]

OMG

 

[texas1willy2]

Not trying to be rude but, there where 2 threads on this several weeks ago. I think there is something behind this many think it's no big deal? The NRA even sent out something saying don't worry they're not going to be able to get our guns. In my opinion they missed the whole point, Interpol has one of the worlds largest data bases this would let them gather information without having to share how or why they are doing it. Basically they can build a case against people without any form of search warrant and nobody can subpoena their records. This is like the patriot act on steroids.
Go read the other threads there's some good info in them.

 

[Freedom1911]

If it is a repeat some one can remove it. I just found it on another forum and thought I would post it here.
If a mod or the Admin wants to delete it, go right ahead.
Cheersatriot:

Here is a stretch.
First there is an article about the Office of home land security ordering something like 40 million rounds of 40SW, for what reason?
Then Hillary Clinton and the http://www.therepublicantemple.com/2009/12/23/hillary-clinton-commits-to-un-small-arms-treaty/ basically through treaty with the UN trying to kill the 2nd Amendment.
Then Obama giving Interpol immunity to US law.

Here is a theory. Just for fun.
What do you think it might all be leading to?
The ammo is for UN or other out of country troops.
The Small Arms Treaty is the door kicker that lets Washington illegally take our guns.
Obama and Washington fear that the police and our troops will not follow orders to disarm the country so they are making way to bring UN and Interpol forces in to the US and give them immunity from US law so that they can take our guns.
The ammo is to supply the UN and Interpol people. I would think they would be using 9mm, but the US may be paying for all the guns and ammo for this.
Hundreds of Millions of stimulus dollars have gone in to the nether lands. All that money that vanished may be funding something like this through the back door.

 

[texas1willy2]

They have a standing order with Winchester for 200 million rounds of 40 cal. somebody explain that to me.

 

[Texas1911]

Here is a theory. Just for fun.
What do you think it might all be leading to?
The ammo is for UN or other out of country troops.
The Small Arms Treaty is the door kicker that lets Washington illegally take our guns.
Obama and Washington fear that the police and our troops will not follow orders to disarm the country so they are making way to bring UN and Interpol forces in to the US and give them immunity from US law so that they can take our guns.
The ammo is to supply the UN and Interpol people. I would think they would be using 9mm, but the US may be paying for all the guns and ammo for this.
Hundreds of Millions of stimulus dollars have gone in to the nether lands. All that money that vanished may be funding something like this through the back door.

LOL ... I think people are just looking for any excuse to proclaim that they are coming to get our guns. There's conspiracy in anything if you think about it long enough.

 

[Freedom1911]

LOL ... I think people are just looking for any excuse to proclaim that they are coming to get our guns. There's conspiracy in anything if you think about it long enough.

As I said, just a theory. But doesn't it make you wonder even just a little?

 

[Texas1911]

As I said, just a theory. But doesn't it make you wonder even just a little?

Sure, INTERPOL should have absolutely zero jurisdiction here, but the President cannot enact an Executive Order without citing the law in which it extends. Long story short, INTERPOL would need first for Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court to validate a seizure of personal arms. Under this Act they would require an Executive Order to disarm the populous.

No INTERPOL agent is going to fly thousands of miles here to take my guns to begin with, and secondly Congress is not even going to go down that dark road anytime soon. Look at all the baby steps and regulations they can enact, but don't even bother bringing it to a vote.

 

[Freedom1911]

They have a standing order with Winchester for 200 million rounds of 40 cal. somebody explain that to me.

Ok guess I was off by a few million rounds.

Winchester to Deliver 200 Million 40-Cal. Rounds to Homeland Security
Google search on 200million rounds to Winchester Winchester for 200 million rounds of 40 cal. - Google Search

So I guess I had on number right. Figure 200,000,000./5 years comes out to 40,000,000. per year. 3,333,333.333 per month, 111,111.11 per day. What are they going to do with 111,111.111 rounds of 40SW per day. At a maximum purchase.
Just sayin.
Ranger line for those who don't know is the old Black Talon ammo rebranded.


Winchester to Deliver 200 Million 40-Cal. Rounds to Homeland Security

August 22, 2009

http://www.gunreports.com/news/ammo/Winchester-ICE-Homeland-Security-ICE_1460-1.html?type=pf WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Winchester Ammunition was recently awarded a contract by the Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) division of the Department of Homeland Security to supply a maximum of 200 million, 40 cal. rounds over the next five years.
The load selected for this contract is a 135-grain, hollow point designed for the office of Field Operations of Customs and Border Protection. It will fall under the Winchester Ranger line.

 

[texas1willy2]

Sure, INTERPOL should have absolutely zero jurisdiction here, but the President cannot enact an Executive Order without citing the law in which it extends. Long story short, INTERPOL would need first for Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court to validate a seizure of personal arms. Under this Act they would require an Executive Order to disarm the populous.

No INTERPOL agent is going to fly thousands of miles here to take my guns to begin with, and secondly Congress is not even going to go down that dark road anytime soon. Look at all the baby steps and regulations they can enact, but don't even bother bringing it to a vote.

I don't think Interpol is about guns it's about gathering information. Interpol has one of the worlds largest data bases this would let them gather information without having to share how or why they are doing it. Basically they can build a case against people without any form of search warrant and nobody can subpoena their records. This is like the patriot act on steroids.

 

[RPB]

Yep it's about gathering info on us into a database, and about being exempt from Discovery/Open Records act, or it's all about hiding birth certificates unless you go to the hospital in Kenya, and that one probably disappeared now after one person did get one with the footprint on it ..

Was it Kuwait that had a database of gun registrants that the invading Iranians got when they invaded Kuwait, so the invaders knew where to go to collect the guns?

 

[Owens]

NRA has a little to say on this INTERPOL thing. Definitely not a 'non-issue', but maybe not all its thought to be.
NRA-ILA :: INTERPOL Rumors

 

[majormadmax]

Owens

Exactly! As a matter of fact, that NRA press release says it all, and it's worth posting in its entirety...

INTERPOL Rumors

Friday, January 08, 2010

Over the past year, we have reported several times on the abundance of rumors being circulated regarding firearm issues. Among other things, we've heard phony tales circulating about such things as guns being banned for the elderly, ammunition with expiration dates, a requirement that guns be listed on tax returns, and a prohibition on gun and ammunition imports. The latest scuttlebutt has to do with a recent Executive Order by President Obama concerning the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

Some have argued that the order would make INTERPOL and its officials immune from civil suit or criminal prosecution, and that it would therefore allow INTERPOL personnel to seize firearms, kidnap Americans, and otherwise violate U.S. citizens' rights. Our legal staff has reviewed this order and does not believe it poses any of these threats.

President Obama's order amends a 1983 order by President Reagan, in which the U.S. recognized INTERPOL as an international organization that is entitled to certain legal immunities under the International Organizations Immunities Act (IOIA).

One of those immunities is immunity from civil lawsuits. Under the doctrine of "sovereign immunity," foreign governments generally can't be sued, and the IOIA extended that protection to international organizations. This has been applied to block suits against the United Nations, Organization of American States, and other international bodies.

This means that articles on the recent order are incorrect in claiming that the order made INTERPOL immune from civil suits; INTERPOL was already immune.

Some have also suggested that under the order, INTERPOL agents would receive diplomatic immunity, so they could violate Americans' rights without fear of criminal prosecution. There are several misconceptions here.
First, diplomatic immunity only protects diplomats, and the IOIA specifically says it does not confer diplomatic immunity on international organization employees.

Second, while the IOIA does provide a limited type of immunity for international organization employees, this is only immunity "relating to acts performed by them in their official capacity." U.S. courts have interpreted this narrowly. In one case, a court found that a U.N. employee was not immune to a local speeding ticket even though he was actually driving the Secretary General of the U.N. to an official conference. In other cases, courts have found that employees of international organizations can be prosecuted for espionage, because espionage is not among their official duties.

Law enforcement officers working with INTERPOL are detailed from agencies in various countries, such as the FBI or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They have no power of arrest outside their own countries. Therefore, a seizure of an American (or of an Americans' firearms) would likely not fall within the official duties for which INTERPOL officials would be immune from prosecution.

Now don't take any of this to mean that we underestimate our anti-gun opponents, or that we don't believe they would happily and readily seize the opportunity to adopt and enforce measures that would limit our freedom. We know full well that they would. Rather, our message is this: Rumors abound, so don't believe everything you read. If it's a legitimate concern, rest assured your NRA-ILA will promptly address it and will give you the straight story.

Copyright 2010, National Rifle Association of America, Institute for Legislative Action.
This may be reproduced. It may not be reproduced for commercial purposes.
11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 800-392-8683
Contact Us | Privacy & Security Policy

INTERPOL is an organization facilitating international police cooperation, and it's current Secretary-General is an American (Ronald Noble, formerly of the United States Treasury).

From Wiki: "Each member country maintains a National Central Bureau (NCB) staffed by national law enforcement officers, designated contact point for the Interpol General Secretariat, regional bureau and other member countries requiring assistance with overseas investigations and the location and apprehension of fugitives. This is especially important in countries with many law-enforcement agencies. This central bureau is a unique point of contact for foreign entities, which may not understand the complexity of the law-enforcement system of the country they attempt to contact. For instance, the NCB for the United States of America is housed at the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). The NCB then ensures the proper transmission of information to the correct agency."

Interpol maintains a large database charting unsolved crimes and both convicted and alleged criminals. At any time, a member nation has access to specific sections of the database and its police forces are encouraged to check information held by Interpol whenever a major crime is committed. The rationale behind this is that drug traffickers and similar criminals have international ties, and so it is likely that crimes extend beyond political boundaries. Note that this is a database of unsolved crimes, not weapons! As long as you are not a criminal, you have nothing to worry about INTERPOL or your weapons from this EO...

Cheers! M2

 

[codygjohnson]

There was a big INTERPOL warning at the beginning of my "Hangin' Tough" video by New Kids on the Block. I hope they aren't going to gig me for all the copies I made and handed out to my friends...I'd hate to go to jail over it.


after all, I already lost most of my friends over that whole fiasco...