Did Sisko commit a war crime?

[Ithekro]

Technically speaking the Maquis are a Cardassian problem, as they should be on the colonies on the Cardassian side of the border.

You know, it might be murky whether or not The Sisko committed a crime stopping Eddington, but there are other things he could potentially hang for, like ordering the death of Head of State of an Ally. How come no one ever brings that up?

He had orders from Starfleet to deal with the problem, and the method used was well within the laws and traditions of the Klingon Empire. As far as the Klingons are concerned, the action is legal and binding. Even Worf's passing over the leadership.

 

[kkt]

Picard would go directly to Romulus and through his speech and diplomatic skills convince the Romulans ...

to have a good laugh at Picard and the Federation.

 

[Prax]

He had approval? Im not talking about the Romulan Senator thing. Im talking when he tells Worf to "DoOo SOmeTHing!" about Gowron.

 

[DonIago]

I'm pretty sure Starfleet did tell Sisko something in that regards, though I haven't seen the episode in awhile. I thought that was a reference to Vreenak originally too, though.

 

[RobinSpace]

I donno, compared to Section 31 and killing of the founders... I think Sisko is relieved of any crimes.

I mean the Federation is quite flexible with its principles when it comes to crimes.

 

[Voth commando1]

to have a good laugh at Picard and the Federation.

The man was an accomplished diplomat who had previous experience with the romulans I don't see why he couldn't convince them to join the war without the need for cloak and dagger operations.

 

[DonIago]

Because the Romulans wanted evidence, and Picard wouldn't have had any.

 

[Prax]

Picard couldve easily speeched Vreenack into joining. And if not by words, then simply the sound of his voice.

 

[DonIago]

Picard may be a good diplomat, but it's not like he's the Hypnotoad...

 

[Prax]

Picard to Don:

"You underestimate my Power!"

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

He had orders from Starfleet to deal with the problem, and the method used was well within the laws and traditions of the Klingon Empire. As far as the Klingons are concerned, the action is legal and binding. Even Worf's passing over the leadership.

And also I'm fairly sure that the specific part of the station where Worf challenged Gowron was actually a sort of Klingon consular area. So not only did Worf follow proper Klingon law, it took place in Klingon territory (just like when Worf killed Duras). Starfleet is therefore innocent of any charges of interference.

 

[Voth commando1]

Because the Romulans wanted evidence, and Picard wouldn't have had any.

He could appeal to their self interest, present intelligence regarding Dominion duplicity, have romulans he himself met over the years support his case(there'd be a few).

The man would have gotten it done.

 

[Prax]

And also I'm fairly sure that the specific part of the station where Worf challenged Gowron was actually a sort of Klingon consular area. So not only did Worf follow proper Klingon law, it took place in Klingon territory (just like when Worf killed Duras). Starfleet is therefore innocent of any charges of interference.

No it wasn't. It was in the Conference room/Sisko's quarters/Kira's quarters/Jadzia's quarters...

 

[Captain Nebula]

I can't remember which episode it was but Sisko threatened genocide against the Maquis and then immediately carried out the threat.

The episode is called: For The Uniform

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708544/?ref_=ttep_ep13

 

[DonIago]

He could appeal to their self interest, present intelligence regarding Dominion duplicity, have romulans he himself met over the years support his case(there'd be a few).

The man would have gotten it done.

As Vreenak himself would have said: speculation.

And presenting intelligence was exactly what Sisko ended up doing. It was just that the intelligence he presented was fabricated. And it was fabricated because they couldn't find any real intelligence to serve as proof.

 

[Voth commando1]

Picard wasn't tied down to a station he'd probably be able to have said intelligence.

And it was specifically mentioned Vreenak was one of he pro-dominion senators implying that not all romulans either supported staying out or supporting the dominion. Wasn't there that one female senator Bashir got close to? Who had a pro-federation line?

There would most definitely be more pro-federation members of the senate, and members that could be swayed.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

Back to the war crimes question...

War crimes is not a general concept. The actions that constitute war crimes are specific and there are a few that could be apply to what Sisko did:
"intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities"
"employing poison or poisoned weapons"
"employing asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and all analogous liquids, materials or devices"
"intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians . . . or widespread, long-term and sever damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated"
"employing weapons . . . which are inherently indiscriminate"

These are all real crimes in international law - we can assume that Starfleet would be subject to similar rules.

Bombings, hijackings, piracy, genocide--the Maquis were far from civilians ... and innocents.

 

[Timo]

The issue with the Romulans wasn't whether the Dominion would be a trustworthy ally or not. The Romulans knew it wasn't. They just saw no advantage to admitting to that, because as long as neither side was a clear winner, it served their interests to pretend that "there was no evidence".

Romulans wouldn't be swayed with facts, because they knew the facts already. Romulans would be swayed by actions that altered the political situation. And an assassination was one such action, surprisingly enough. Apparently, the Romulans were already more or less fifty-fifty about choosing their side, and only needed a minor excuse. But "evidence", real or fabricated, wouldn't count, because then it would look as if the Romulans themselves had made up their minds - an outside force such as this attack against Vreenak meant the Romulans were not the ones deciding, but merely reacting.

Had Sisko not stumbled through this plot that concluded with decisive action, somebody else in Starfleet would probably have blown up a Romulan planet or something. And the Romulans would have known Starfleet did it, just like they most probably knew Sisko killed Vreenak, but it would be an excuse nevertheless for them to do what they wanted to do, which was to side with the victor.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[DonIago]

^Er, doesn't Vreenak explicitly say that he'd need proof before he'd be willing to reevaluate his position?

Yes, yes he does:
SISKO: What if I told you that the Dominion is planning a sneak attack on the Romulan Empire at this very moment?
VREENAK: I'd want proof.

 

[Timo]

But that's just Vreenak posturing. Half of Romulus appears to disagree with Vreenak, and is delighted to see him blown to smithereens. Implicitly, half wants to stay buddies with the Dominion and is delighted to see Vreenak insist on proof, then disappointed to see him eliminated.

But anything happening (as opposed to nothing happening) automatically favors the "we want change" party and undermines the "status quo" party, and a supporter of the latter party dying is just icing on that particular cake.

Timo Saloniemi