HILLARY CLINTON yesterday signalled a significant shift by the US in favour of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the world body that pursues war criminals but was strenuously opposed by the Bush administration.
In the most public expression of support yet from US president Barack Obama’s administration, the US secretary of state expressed regret that the US had not yet joined the ICC.
The court, set up in 2002, has pursued dictators, mainly from Africa, who are alleged to have been engaged in genocide and other war crimes. Supporters of the court have long advocated the US joining, saying this would immensely strengthen the body.
But former US president George Bush blocked US membership, expressing fears that US officials could be open to arrest for alleged war crimes. The Pentagon was concerned US soldiers might end up in court in The Hague.
Not only is the US not a member, but government officials are theoretically banned from any engagement with the ICC.
Mrs Clinton, speaking at a public meeting in Kenya during the first leg of an African tour, said: “This is a great regret that we are not a signatory. I think we could have worked out some of the challenges that are raised concerning our membership. But that has not yet come to pass.”
In December 2000, just before he left office, former US president Bill Clinton signed up to the ICC.
But Mr Bush two years later announced that the US would not be joining and a Bill ratifying membership failed to get through Congress.
The Obama administration has many supporters of the ICC, both in the White House and the state department. But others in the administration advocate caution, saying the president can afford not to rush membership and should wait to see how the court evolves.
Mr Obama backed the ICC’s decision earlier this year to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir in connection with the mass killings in Darfur. – (Guardian service)