NEW YORK Washington will stop supporting United Nations peacekeeping operations unless Americans taking part are given immunity from prosecution by the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal.
Most countries back the new International Criminal Court (ICC), scheduled to begin its work July 1, but the United States has refused to endorse it arguing its citizens may face politically motivated prosecution.
American diplomats have presented the UN Security Council with a draft resolution demanding guaranteed immunity at the ICC.
Critics say Washington is trying to undermine the new International Criminal Court.
'Inexcusable and indefensible'
"I think the United States government has really reached a low point in regard to human rights as an aspect of its foreign policy," said Richard Dicker, director of the international justice program at Human Rights Watch.
"To be trying to broaden or extend the scope for impunity if people commit these crimes, it's inexcusable and indefensible."
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on Washington not to abandon peacekeeping missions. He said the new court will prosecute suspects only if their own governments fail to take action.
But Washington insists on immunity for Americans, and it refused to back down during a debate Friday over keeping UN peacekeepers in Bosnia.
The Security Council agreed to a brief extension of the Bosnia mission until the end of the month, but did not vote on the proposal to stay in the country for the rest of the year.
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