U.S. Suspends Military Aid to 35 Countries for Failure to Conclude Exemption Agreements

On July 2, 2003, the Bush Administration suspended all U.S. military assistance to 35 countries under the American Servicemembers Protection Act of 2002 (ASPA) because they refused to pledge to accord U.S. citizens immunity before the International Criminal Court (ICC). ASPA permits the President to issue waivers if he determines and reports to Congress either that the assistance is in the national security interest of the U.S. or that the country has signed an agreement with the U.S. preventing the ICC proceeding against U.S. personnel present in that country. President Bush issued waivers for 22 countries. It is uncertain whether this is an initial list or whether the administration intends to issue additional waivers … [more]