Confident of support by the new Bush administration, Republicans in the US Congress are preparing legislation against the new world criminal court just endorsed by President Bill Clinton.
|
Mr Mark Thiessen, spokesman for controversial right-wing Senator Jesse Helms, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview strategic steps would be formulated when President-elect Mr George W. Bush takes office on January 20th.
"It is a move that is going to backfire," he said of President Clinton's decision to sign a treaty creating the court.
President Clinton authorised signature of the treaty on Sunday but recommended it not be submitted for ratification until US misgivings are addressed.
Mr Bush’s spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer said: "We will review it when we come into office. But we are concerned it is a flawed treaty."
President Clinton said the US signature allowed US negotiators to have more influence on the International Criminal Court's procedures.
Reuters