06May02
In an unprecedented action, the US Government notifies the UN that it has no obligations arising from its signature of the ICC Statute and will not ratify it.
Text of the letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan from Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John R. Bolton.
"Dear Mr. Secretary-General:
This is to inform you, in connection with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court adopted on July 17, 1998, that the United States does not intend to become a party to the treaty. Accordingly, the United States has no legal obligations arising from its signature on December 31, 2000. The United States requests that its intention not to become a party, as expressed in this letter, be reflected in the depositary's status lists relating to this treaty.
Sincerely,
S/John R. Bolton"
[End]
Released on May 6, 2002[Source: Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State - May 6, 2002]
The US government has notified the UN that it has no obligations arising from its signature of the ICC Statute on 31 december 2000.
6 May - The United States has formally advised United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan that it does not intend to become a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, a UN spokesman said today.
Accordingly, the US Government maintains that it has no obligations arising from its signature of the Statute on 31 December 2000, spokesman Fred Eckhard told the press in New York.
"The Secretary-General, as the depositary of the Rome Statute will, consistent with normal practice, circulate the US notification to all States concerned," Mr. Eckhard said. "The effect of the notification is a matter for the parties to the Statute to decide."
Responding to questions, the spokesman called the action by the US "unique and unprecedented."
By withdrawing its signature, the US sought to free itself of obligations that a signatory would have, the spokesman noted. "But the Statute has come into force; the court will come into being," he stressed.
[Source: UN News Centre - 06May02]
International Criminal Court
This document has been published on 18Sep02 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights