The USA has so far signed bilateral agreements with some 40 countries, including Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Romania, on the basis of Article 98 of the Rome Statute, the document which established the ICC. The article provides for the possibility of signing a bilateral agreement with a country that is not a party to the ICC to exempt its citizens from the ICC's jurisdiction.
"Croatia believes that partnership and friendship between Europe and America have no alternative. That is our policy and that is the policy of the EU. We will consult the EU regarding changes to our positions," Sanader told reporters after a meeting with the Zagreb Archbishop, Cardinal Josip Bozanic.
The Hague-based ICC is the first international body in charge of war crimes trials, which started operating in mid-2003.
Croatia is one of some 100 countries which have signed and ratified the agreement that was also signed by former US President Bill Clinton. The government of President George W. Bush, however, annulled the signature, indicating in a letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan that the USA would not ratify the agreement and that it did not have any legal obligations arising from the signing of the agreement.
The position of the USA, which has been trying to ensure the non-extradition of US citizens to the ICC through bilateral agreements with individual countries, is the source of its dispute with the EU which provides strong financial and political support to the ICC.
Following instructions from the EU, Croatia refused to sign such an agreement with the USA in June 2003, which resulted in its losing US military assistance.
Although in the meantime the USA has attempted several times to have the decision changed, Croatia has so far stuck to its decision, refusing to sign the agreement on Article 98 of the Rome Statute.