The Hindu : International : U.S. drops move on war crimes trials

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Friday, Jun 25, 2004

International

International

U.S. drops move on war crimes trials

UNITED NATIONS, JUNE 24. Facing strong opposition, the United States announced on Wednesday it was dropping a resolution seeking a new exemption for American peacekeepers from international prosecution for war crimes.

The U.S. deputy ambassador James Cunningham made the announcement after a U.S. compromise that would have limited the exemption to one final year failed to get support from Security Council opponents. The U.N. exemption expires on June 30.

The U.S. President, George W. Bush's administration argues that the International Criminal Court — which started operating last year — could be used for frivolous or politically motivated prosecutions of American troops.

The 94 countries that have ratified the 1998 Rome Treaty establishing the Court maintain it contains enough safeguards to prevent such prosecutions and insist that nobody should be exempt.

When the Court was established nearly two years ago, the U.S. threatened to end its involvement in far-flung peacekeeping operations established or authorised by the United Nations if it did not get an exemption for American peacekeepers.

Before the Council meeting, Spain and China said they would abstain if the resolution was put to a vote and Philippines Ambassador Lauro Baja, the current Council President, said he doubted that the U.S. had the minimum nine `yes' votes needed to adopt it.

The U.S. circulated a resolution last month which would authorise an exemption for a third year, but it ran into stiff opposition from Court supporters and Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Last week, Mr. Annan urged the Security Council not to renew the U.S. exemption, citing the recent abuse of Iraqi prisoners by the U.S. forces. He also delivered a note to the 15 Council Ambassadors that raised ``serious doubts'' about the legality of an exemption and warned against dividing the United Nations' most powerful body.

— AP

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