Opposing the US position, Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the UN Security Council on Thursday not to shield US peacekeepers once again from international prosecution for war crimes.
Annan cited the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US forces in opposing a US resolution calling for the blanket exemption for a third straight year.
The US introduced the resolution last month but has delayed calling for a vote. Despite intensive lobbying, Washington doesn't have the minimum nine "yes" votes on the 15-member council to approve a new exemption, council diplomats said.
The current exemption expires on June 30.
US President George W. Bush's administration argues that the International Criminal Court -- which started operating last year -- could be used for frivolous or politically motivated prosecutions of US troops.
The 94 countries that have ratified the 1998 Rome Treaty establishing the court, maintain it contains enough safeguards to prevent frivolous prosecutions.
This year, human rights groups argue that another US exemption is even more unjustified in the wake of the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. And council nations that support the court say nobody should be exempt.
Annan supported both arguments.
"For the past two years, I have spoken quite strongly against the exemption, and I think it would be unfortunate for one to press for such an exemption, given the prisoner abuse in Iraq," he told reporters on Thursday.
"It would be even more unwise on the part of the Security Council to grant it. It would discredit the council and the United Nations, that stands for rule of law," Annan said. "Blanket exemption is wrong. It is of dubious judicial value, and I don't think it should be encouraged by the council."
Besides seeking another year's exemption from arrest or prosecution of US peacekeepers, Washington has signed bilateral agreements with 89 countries that bar any prosecution of US officials by the court and is seeking more such treaties.
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