The US envoy to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, called on allies in a closed July meeting to help dismantle the International Criminal Court and withdraw from the Rome Statute, according to a Politico report. The US distributed a document stating it would 'systematically dismantle' the ICC's capabilities and demanded allies immediately cut support. France and the Netherlands opposed the move and defended the court.
The Zioneer reports on a Politico dispatch detailing a major US diplomatic push against the International Criminal Court. According to the report, US NATO envoy Matthew Whitaker, in a closed meeting of 32 NATO ambassadors in Brussels in mid-July, called on allies to help 'systematically dismantle' the ICC and withdraw from the Rome Statute. The US also circulated a document describing plans to 'systematically dismantle the capabilities of the International Criminal Court' and demanding allies 'immediately take steps to exit' the Rome Statute, 'publicly condemn' what it called the court's overreach, and cease all material support. 'Let's end once and for all the pretense of the International Criminal Court,' the document stated, according to Politico.
The report indicates that France and the Netherlands defended the court during the meeting, with France stating its support was 'unwavering' and the Netherlands expressing 'full' support. One diplomat described Whitaker's remarks as 'quite shocking,' while another said they were 'disappointing.' The US also raised the issue bilaterally with European countries outside the NATO framework.
This development follows the broader US campaign against the ICC. As The Zioneer reported on July 13, the US had already launched a wide-ranging effort to isolate the court, including sanctions on judges and visa bans. The new Politico report provides additional detail on the diplomatic dimensions of that strategy within the NATO alliance.
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