ICC DEBATE TO WRAP UP BY MIDNIGHT: SUCCESS STILL IN DOUBT

ROME, July 17 (LSN) As debate on the establishment of an International Criminal Court winds down today Canada and its allies have failed to win the support of the United States for a model that many fear would significantly erode national sovereignty, with pro-family forces fearing that such erosion would prevent individual nations from establishing their own domestic policy on issues such as abortion and homosexuality. But likewise, the US and other likeminded countries have been unable to get the others to budge. Canada and Britain joined 60 other nations in rejecting a proposal late Thursday that would protect opting-out nations from interference by the court. About 160 countries are participating in the conference.  The US also continues to insist that the court be subject to the Security Council. Britain is the only permanent member of the Security Council to oppose this position. The inclusion and definition of the terms “enforced pregnancy” and “gender” also remains unresolved. The Vatican, yesterday, accused the radical feminist lobby of refusing to include a definition of “enforced pregnancy,” thereby adding to suspicions that a hidden agenda exists behind the term. US critics have tried to put the best face possible on the situation, arguing that, even without America’s support, the court could still work effectively. Without US funds, however, this is a highly questionable claim and the US delegation has threatened to actively oppose the court, which would likely include a refusal to fund it, suggested a CP article.