The United States is to ignore guidelines laid down by the European Union for EU members to negotiate deals giving US troops limited immunity from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.
State Department spokesman Mr Richard Boucher said Washington would continue to seek deals for immunity for all US nationals and not just soldiers and diplomats as is called for by the guidelines, set yesterday by EU foreign ministers.
"Some elements in the guidelines section of the ministers' decision we do not agree with and will continue to pursue these matters in the bilateral discussions that we expect to have," Mr Boucher said.
"We will negotiate with individual countries on agreements that we think meet our needs and their needs."
Mr Boucher said the general decision allowing EU members to conclude so-called "Article 98" deals with the United States was "positive and constructive" but stressed that Washington would not be bound by all the guidelines.
AFP