U.N. compromise on immunity for U.S. troops offered (by US) [View All]

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?section=WORLD&oid=53651

UNITED NATIONS - The United States, hoping to avert a defeat, floated a compromise proposal on Tuesday to seek just one more renewal of a U.N. resolution exempting American soldiers from international prosecution.

But it was uncertain whether the proposed change in the resolution on the International Criminal Court would be enough to win U.N. Security Council approval due to international fury over prisoner abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib detention center.

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The United States has proposed asking the council to renew an existing exemption, which expires on June 30, once more, in return for which the United States would pledge not to ask for another extension next year, Cunningham said.

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At least eight council members have previously indicated they would abstain -- France, Germany, Chile, Benin, Spain, Romania, China and Brazil. But the new proposal may sway some to vote in favor after consulting their governments.

A minimum of nine "yes" votes are needed for adoption of a resolution in the 15-member council. More than six abstentions would kill the measure.

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