U.N. Security Council Extends for One Year U.S. Peacekeepers’ Immunity from the ICC

On June 12, 2004, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution extending immunity for one more year to United States nationals serving in U.N.-authorized peacekeeping missions from prosecution by the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.). Notwithstanding U.S. pressure, France, Germany and Syria abstained from voting on the resolution, imposing new strains on efforts to restore unity after the Iraq conflict. The U.K., Spain and Bulgaria, which have ratified the I.C.C. statute, voted in favor although Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the British ambassador, emphasized that the exemption was an exceptional measure and not subject to automatic renewal. Similarly, Spain said that regular renewal should not be taken for granted?[more]