| Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC July 13, 2004 Eritrea Signs Article 98 AgreementThe Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security, John R. Bolton, and the government of Eritrea, represented by Ambassador Girma Asmerom in Washington, D.C., signed an Article 98 agreement in the Department of State’s Treaty Room on July 8, 2004. Eritrea is the 92nd country worldwide to sign an Article 98 agreement. The United States is engaged in a worldwide effort to conclude bilateral Article 98 agreements that would prohibit the surrender of U.S. persons to the International Criminal Court. As a basic principle, the United States believes that states, not international courts, are primarily responsible for ensuring justice in the international system and that the best way to combat serious offenses is to build domestic judicial systems and strengthen political will. Eritrea is committed to fighting global terrorism and it has been a solid partner with the United States in that battle in the past. Eritrea was one of the first nations to sign on as part of the "Coalition of the Willing." The signing of Article 98 by the government of Eritrea is a significant step forward in U.S. and Eritrea bilateral relations.
2004/765
|
 | |||
|
