U.S. Withdraws UN Measure on Immunity for Soldiers



UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday withdrew its U.N. Security Council resolution seeking an exemption for U.S. soldiers from international prosecution because it lacked votes for adoption.

“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,” U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham told reporters. “We are dropping action on this resolution.”

America’s fight against accountability
America employs double standards on human rights issues. While Washington chides and attacks other countries regarding real or perceived humen rights violations, the USA studiously and stubbornly refuses to acknowledge – let alone address – America’s own human rights violations. Meanwhile the USA fights against international justice by lying about the International Criminal Court, and by bribing and threathening countries into siding with Washington.
Former Nuremberg prosecutor, Benjamin Ferencz:
the American public has been deceived” (RealPlayer)

He did not specifically threaten to veto U.N. peacekeeping operations but said the United States needed to take “into account” the council’s position on the International Criminal Court “when determining contributions to UN-authorized or established operations.”

The Bush administration needed a minimum of nine “yes” votes in the 15-member Security Council for an exemption from the new International Criminal Court. But more than seven countries signaled they would abstain.

The United States has rarely faced such opposition in the council, with the notable exception of its attempt to get U.N. endorsement for the invasion of Iraq last year. Since then, the council has backed Washington on its plans in Iraq, with far less acrimony than before the war.

But this year specter of U.S. abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan made it difficult for members to extend the resolution for the third time, even though analysts say the scandal would not come before the new tribunal.

Source

(Listed if other than Religion News Blog, or if not shown above)
Reuters, USA
June 23, 2004
Evelyn Leopold and Irwin Arieff
www.reuters.com
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Religion News Blog posted this on Wednesday June 23, 2004.
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