WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton authorized the United States on Sunday to sign a treaty creating a permanent international criminal court to try war criminals.
In a statement, Clinton said the United States affirmed its "strong support for international accountability and for bringing to justice perpetrators of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity."
"The United States has a long history of commitment to the principle of accountability, from our involvement in the Nuremberg tribunals that brought Nazi war criminals to justice, to our leadership in the effort to establish the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda," the president said. "Our action today sustains that tradition of moral leadership."
No permanent tribunal ever created
The courts covering Bosnia and Rwanda are the only war-crimes tribunals currently functioning. There has never been a permanent international court to deal with war crimes.
In 1998, the Rome Treaty created the International Criminal Court. It allowed nations to sign on to the treaty until December 31, 2000.
More than 130 nations have signed the treaty, including most U.S. allies. Iran signed the treaty Sunday.
The parliaments of 27 nations have ratified the Rome Treaty; 60 governments are needed for the treaty to go into effect.
Israel has an appointment with the United Nations to discuss the matter. North Korea, Libya, China and Iraq have not joined the treaty.
Clinton's decision comes in the wake of heavy criticism from conservative members of Congress and concerns from within the administration itself that the court would infringe on U.S. sovereignty and could lead to politically motivated prosecutions of U.S. military men and women.
"This institution could well put America in a position to be held hostage to blackmail, to threats based on our military presence around the world, our diplomatic efforts, our geopolitical economic interests," said Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Nebraska, on Sunday. "I don't believe in any way it is in the interest of this country."
A senior Clinton administration official said the White House still has concerns, but decided to sign the treaty to "have a seat at the table" in negotiations about the court's structure and rules.
Helms vows to fight pact
Sen. Jesse Helms, R-North Carolina, has been a vocal critic of the treaty. A spokesman for Helms said he will "declare war" on the International Criminal Court and make it a priority in the next Congress to defeat ratification of the treaty in the Senate.
The issue is expected to come up during confirmation hearings for President-elect George W. Bush's Cabinet.
CNN Correspondent Kate Snow and Producer Beth Lewandowski contributed to this report.
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