BIK_116.80
In answer to your question:
What is this international standard? Where is the rule that says that a LAME must perform a pre-departure inspection before an international flight?
I suggest you re-read AN LAME's post.
With regards to your statement: "Asking a LAME who is qualified to overhaul, repair, replace or modify an aircraft and its systems to conduct and certify pre-departure inspections all day would be like asking an eminent heart-surgeon to take peoples pulses its simply a poor use of skilled labour."
Its the LAME's part in the safety chain we currently enjoy.
Conversly why have highly qualified pilots sitting on flight decks all day long watching A/Ps fly the aircraft.
My arguement is why let CASA reduce the level of safety we have simply to satisfy the commercial whims of the airlines so that the executives can push their noses further into the caviar.
At the end of the day, safety is not a commodity that can be traded for financial gains.