| Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC September 23, 2003 Article 98 Agreements2003/956 Yesterday, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell signed an Article 98 Agreement with Kazakhstan. This marks the third Article 98 signing in the last five days, with Colombia and the Solomon Islands also entering into such agreements. These signatures bring the total number of countries having entered into Article 98 Agreements with the United States to 63. Several more nations are expected to sign agreements over the coming weeks. Colombia is the 29th State Party to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to conclude an Article 98 Agreement with the United States. The Government of Colombia’s action demonstrates the recognition among States Parties to the Court that Article 98 Agreements are an important mechanism provided for in the ICC Treaty.
United States military forces, civilian personnel and private citizens are currently active in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in more than 100 countries. Article 98 Agreements, which are provided for in the Rome Statute that created the International Criminal Court, allow the United States to remain engaged internationally with our friends and allies by providing American citizens with essential protection from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, particularly against politically motivated investigations and prosecutions.
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