China Will Not Back U.S. on Immunity from New Court

[UpInArms]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5460732

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - China said on Friday it would abstain on a resolution giving the United States immunity from the new International Criminal Court, a decision that may leave Washington short of votes to pass the resolution.

"I said to my colleagues we will abstain," Beijing's U.N. ambassador, Wang Guangya, told Reuters after a luncheon among the 15 Security Council members and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Wang said earlier the resolution would send a wrong signal in light of the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal.

China's abstention could deprive the Bush administration of the nine "yes" votes required to adopt a resolution. So far only Britain, Russia, Angola and the Philippines are considered sure votes in favor.

All other members are contemplating an abstention or are undecided, following a rebuke by U.N. Secretary- General Kofi Annan, who said on Thursday the resolution was "wrong," would "discredit the council" and was of "dubious judicial value."

He said that resolution "would be a very unfortunate signal to send at any time -- but particularly at this time."

...more...

[aquart]

1. Immunity? While we're committing war crimes?

What nation can vote with us and not have its government fall?

[NuttyFluffers]

2. *tee hee* "favorite trading nation"

*tee hee* thanks china! chieh chieh!

[jdj]

3. Russia? What is going on with Russia?

They opposed the war, then they come in with this new intel from Putin, but say they are still opposed to the war, and now they are voting for US immunity?

Can a country have a menstual cycle?

[DBoon]

5. Tit-for-tat?

Chechnya might be on their mind - making it harder to prosecute the US might give Russia some wiggle room there.

[LeftistGorilla]

7. sounds about right...

.

[CHIMO]

4. Security Council

Is irrelevant. It was initially set up so that the super powers at the time would join. There is no more communist threat. So what relevance does the security council have.
Does it mean that if you could have power from terrorists that you would then have a permanent seat on the council? Things need to be rearranged based on present realities.

[54anickel]

6. Why would any country need/want immunity? Oh never mind! This just

makes me sick, again the laws are for everyone ELSE to follow, doesn't apply to US. :puke: