U.S. Drops U.N. Bid for War Crime Shield

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=716&e=4&u=/ap/20040624/ap_on_re_us/un_us_war_crimes

UNITED NATIONS - Facing global opposition fueled by the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal, the United States on Wednesday dropped its attempt to renew a U.N. exemption shielding American troops from international prosecution for war crimes.


The U.S. move raised concern that Washington might carry out its threat to shut down or stop participating in U.N.-authorized peacekeeping operations.


State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters that every request would be examined "both in terms of voting for a peacekeeping mission" and providing Americans to participate. A key factor will be "what the risk might be of prosecution by a court to which we're not party," he said.


While the United States won praise for not pushing for a vote that would have deeply divided the U.N. Security Council, the Bush administration suffered a defeat in its lengthy battle against the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal.

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N23252459.htm

U.S. abandons U.N. resolution on criminal court

UNITED NATIONS, June 23 (Reuters) - The United States withdrew on Wednesday its U.N. resolution to shield American soldiers from prosecution abroad because of strong opposition fueled by the Iraqi prisoners abuse scandal.

James Cunningham, the U.S. deputy ambassador, made the announcement after U.N. Security Council members turned down his compromise to renew an exemption from the International Criminal Court for one year only. Last year's resolution expires on June 30.

The rejection prompted fears that the United States would veto U.N. peacekeeping missions as it did two years ago when the council hesitated to adopt the resolution. But Cunningham refused to say if this would happen again.

"We believe that our draft and its predecessors fairly meet the concerns of all," he said. "Not all council members agree, however, and the United States has decided not to proceed further with consideration and action on the draft at this time in order to avoid a prolonged and divisive debate."

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[AlecBGreen]

1. if you cant play nice...

dont play at all