SA 'won't bow to US pressure'

SA 'won't bow to US pressure'

July 07 2003 at 12:58AM

By Jeremy Michaels

South Africa's top foreign affairs official says the Mbeki administration will not bow to pressure from the world's most powerful nation to indemnify American citizens from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

On the eve of United States President George Bush's landmark visit, Acting Foreign Affairs Director-General Abdul Minty said South Africa was obliged to respect its commitments to the International Criminal Court and would therefore not fall in line with Washington's demand that countries around the world grant indemnity from prosecution by the new international court to American citizens.

"We, as a matter of policy, cannot do that because it would be in conflict with our constitutional and other responsibilities," Minty said in response to questions at a media briefing at the Union buildings in Pretoria yesterday.

South Africa had already signed and ratified the protocols setting up the ICC and, like other countries, could not renege on this agreement.

"Once you sign and ratify the International Criminal Court, you can't then go and make exceptions after you've ratified. It would look as if you are introducing a new principle in international law."
(snip/...)

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=6&art_id=vn20030707005827790C631252&set_id=1

take a hike?

on the ''to invade'' list?