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U.S. NEWS Saturday 16 March 2019

U.S. bars entry of International Criminal Court investigators

By MATTHEW LEE protect the American and employees, Pompeo said: will be permitted to enter allegations of war crimes
AP Diplomatic Writer allied military and civilian "If you are responsible for the United States." committed by Afghan na-
WASHINGTON (AP) — The personnel from living in fear the proposed ICC investi- That comment suggested tional security forces, Tal-
United States will revoke or of unjust prosecution for gation of U.S. personnel in that action may have al- iban and Haqqani network
deny visas to International actions taken to defend connection with the situ- ready been taken against militants, as well as U.S.
Criminal Court personnel our great nation," Pompeo ation in Afghanistan, you the ICC prosecutor who forces and intelligence of-
who try to investigate or said. should not assume that you asked last year to formally ficials in Afghanistan since
prosecute alleged abuses He said any wrongdoing still have or will get a visa or open an investigation into May 2003.q

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news confer-
ence at the State Department, Friday, March 15, 2019 in Wash-
ington.
Associated Press

committed by U.S. forces in committed by American
Afghanistan or elsewhere, personnel would be dealt
and may do the same with with in U.S. military and
those who seeking action criminal courts.
against Israel, Secretary of The visa restrictions would
State Mike Pompeo said apply to any ICC employ-
Friday. ee who takes or has taken
The Hague-based court, action "to request or fur-
the first global tribunal for ther such an investigation,"
war crimes, said it would Pompeo said.
continue to operate "unde- "These visa restrictions may
terred" by the U.S. action. also be used to deter ICC
Pompeo made good on a efforts to pursue allied per-
threat delivered last Sep- sonnel, including Israelis,
tember by President Don- without allies' consent," he
ald Trump's national securi- said.
ty adviser, John Bolton. The The ICC prosecutor has a
U.S. had already moved pending request to look
against some employees into possible war crimes in
of The Hague-based court, Afghanistan that may in-
Pompeo said, but he de- volve Americans. The Pal-
clined to say how many or estinians have also asked
what cases they may have the court to bring cases
been investigating. against Israel.
"We are determined to Speaking directly to ICC