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Nigeria's Senate Moves to Cancel War Crimes Pact with US


Nigerian lawmakers have called on the president to cancel a pact with the United States that prevents Nigeria from surrendering suspected American war criminals to the International Criminal Court.

A resolution passed by Nigeria's Senate says the agreement violates the country's constitution.

Lawmakers reminded President Olusegun Obasanjo the pact has failed to meet a constitutional requirement that parliament must enact international treaties into law.

Senate resolutions are non-binding.

The United States has negotiated treaties with many nations to keep its citizens from falling under the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction.

The Bush administration has refused to ratify a treaty creating the Hague-based court, asserting U.S. troops abroad could be targeted for politically motivated prosecutions.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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