WASHINGTON, Dec 10: The US Congress is expected to pass legislation barring any US cooperation with the proposed International Criminal Court, a Senate Republican aide said on Monday.

The measure includes language forbidding US troops from taking part in international peacekeeping operations unless they are exempt from the court’s jurisdiction.

The legislation, sponsored by Senator Jesse Helms has been approved 78-21 in the upper chamber as an amendment to a defense appropriations bill which is coming up for final negotiation between the House and Senate as early as Wednesday, the aide said.

House legislators are expected “to support our language” regarding the ICC, said the aide.

Once approved, President George W. Bush must sign the overall bill for the measure to become law.

Bush does not support the court being created in the Hague to prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, but so far has refused to reject it outright.

Supporters of the legislation have argued it is necessary to protect the rights of US citizens guaranteed under the US constitution that are not protected in the treaty creating the court.

The amendment would prohibit US cooperation with the court, including the sharing of classified information; it would restrict US involvement in peacekeeping missions unless the UN specifically exempts US troops from prosecution by the ICC; and it would authorize the president to take necessary action to rescue any US soldiers “who may be improperly handed over to that court.”

So far, 42 countries have ratified the treaty establishing the ICC, which will come into existence when 60 countries have ratified the treaty.

Former president Bill Clinton signed the ICC treaty last year, but recommended against Senate ratification until US objections are met.—AFP