U.N. Security Council Extends Bosnia Mission

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, July 04, 2002

U.N. Security Council Extends Bosnia Mission

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The U.N. Security Council extended the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Bosnia until July 15 on Wednesday, averting a threatened shutdown by the United States over its demand for immunity for American peacekeepers.

The delay will give the 15-member council more time to try to resolve a contentious dispute that has left the United States at odd with its allies and the vast majority of the council.

The United States on Sunday vetoed a resolution extending the Bosnian mission because it didn't grant immunity to American peacekeepers, but agreed to a 72-hour extension until midnight Wednesday.

U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte had vowed not to extend the mission without exemption for U.S. peacekeepers.

But after council members rejected two compromise U.S. proposals Wednesday to put American peacekeepers beyond the reach of the new international war crimes tribunal, the Bush administration gave the green light for further negotiations.

The United States is demanding immunity for U.S. participants in U.N. peacekeeping operations, claiming Americans could be subject to frivolous political prosecutions.

Negroponte said the United States decided to give the council more time to consider its proposals and hopefully reach an agreement that would exempt U.S. peacekeepers.

"No one has slammed the door on our proposals," Negroponte said. "It's been an uphill fight in gaining acceptance of positions we have been putting forward."

The U.S. demand for immunity has left Washington standing virtually alone against the majority of council members who support the International Criminal Court. Six council nations have ratified the Rome treaty establishing the court and six others have signed it. The court came into existence Monday.

The Bush administration also has been criticized worldwide and at home for threatening to end U.N. peacekeeping in Bosnia if it doesn't get immunity for American peacekeepers.

Source: Agencies

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