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US signs ICC immunity deal with Liberia
Washington, Oct 09: The United States and Liberia have signed an agreement giving US citizens in the West African nation immunity from prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC), the State Department said.
Washington, Oct 09: The United States and Liberia have signed an agreement giving US citizens in the West African nation immunity from prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC), the State Department said.
Spokesman Richard Boucher said the accord, known as an Article 98 agreement, was signed yesterday with Liberian Foreign Minister Lewis Brown at a State Department ceremony,
bringing to more than 65 the number of such pacts the United States has signed.
"Liberia and the United States have signed the agreement as part of a worldwide Article 98 agreement push," he told reporters, adding that the deal would make it easier for Washington to support peacekeeping efforts in Liberia. "The agreement is in support of the transition in Liberia as part of the support for US troops, diplomats and others currently operating in Liberia," Boucher said.
Washington -- which vehemently opposes the ICC, the world's first permanent tribunal for war crimes and crimes against humanity -- has been on a worldwide campaign to sign immunity agreements since the court came into existence in July 2002.
The United States fears the court could become a forum for politically motivated prosecutions of us citizens, especially soldiers deployed abroad, and has been on a worldwide campaign to sign bilateral immunity deals. Under US law, Washington must suspend military assistance to most ICC member nations that have not signed such agreements.
Bureau Report
"Liberia and the United States have signed the agreement as part of a worldwide Article 98 agreement push," he told reporters, adding that the deal would make it easier for Washington to support peacekeeping efforts in Liberia. "The agreement is in support of the transition in Liberia as part of the support for US troops, diplomats and others currently operating in Liberia," Boucher said.
Washington -- which vehemently opposes the ICC, the world's first permanent tribunal for war crimes and crimes against humanity -- has been on a worldwide campaign to sign immunity agreements since the court came into existence in July 2002.
The United States fears the court could become a forum for politically motivated prosecutions of us citizens, especially soldiers deployed abroad, and has been on a worldwide campaign to sign bilateral immunity deals. Under US law, Washington must suspend military assistance to most ICC member nations that have not signed such agreements.
Bureau Report