Facing broad opposition increased by the Iraqi prisoner-abuse scandal, the United States yesterday dropped its attempt to renew a U.N. exemption shielding American forces from international prosecution for war crimes. The U.S. move raised concern that Washington might carry out its threat to shut down or stop participating in U.N.-authorized peacekeeping operations. Richard Boucher, a spokesman for the State Department, told reporters that every request would be examined "in terms of voting for a peacekeeping mission" and providing Americans to participate. A key factor will be "what the risk might be of prosecution by a court to which we're not party," he said.
| "Kosovo? Nope, can't help there. Kids are on vacation that month, nope, nope, too busy. Liberia? Gee, sorry, gotta return books to the library, sorry." |
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