WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Congress is considering a measure that could further restrict the power of the International Criminal Court, the Washington Post reported Friday.
At stake are hundreds of millions of dollars in economic aid to governments that refuse to sign immunity accords shielding U.S. personnel from the tribunal's reach.
A provision inserted into the 2005 federal omnibus spending bill bars the transfer of certain types of U.S. assistance money to governments participating in the court that have not also entered into an agreement to bar legal proceedings against U.S. citizens. It includes a national security waiver allowing the president to exempt members of NATO and other key U.S. allies.
The 1998 treaty establishing the court was signed by 139 nations, including the United States. Citing concerns about potential harassment of U.S. officials and its lack of protections for potential defendants before the court, the Bush administration withdrew from the treaty in May 2001.
The legislation containing the provision is scheduled for a Dec. 8 vote in both houses of Congress. It is considered likely to pass and be signed into law by President Bush.
