Abrar Hussain: The United States has announced it will adopt an “aggressive posture” against the International Criminal Court (ICC), threatening sanctions against ICC judges if they proceed with an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Americans in Afghanistan.
President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton, made the announcement in a midday speech to the Federalist Society, a conservative group, in Washington yesterday, his first major address since joining the Trump White House.
Bolton’s draft speech says the Trump administration “will fight back” if the ICC proceeds with opening an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by US service members and intelligence professionals during the war in Afghanistan.
If such an inquiry goes ahead, the Trump administration will consider banning judges and prosecutors from entering the United States, put sanctions on any funds they have in the U.S. financial system and prosecute them in American courts.
“The United States will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court,” according to a draft of his speech seen by Reuters.
Additionally, the State Department will announce the closure of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) office in Washington out of concern about Palestinian attempts to prompt an ICC investigation of Israel.
“The United States will always stand with our friend and ally, Israel,” said Bolton.
There was no immediate response from Israel, where government offices were closed for the Jewish new year.
-Source: Reuters