An International Court Press

International legal experts began laying the groundwork for the world’s first permanent war crimes tribunal Wednesday, without U.S. backing.

A permanent court to try those responsible for war crimes--and possibly terrorist attacks--is expected to open in the Netherlands next year with the support of the majority of the international community.

The U.S., however, opposes such a court, which could put Americans on trial for alleged atrocities.

“Everybody in the room should be aware that we will not be a part of it. We will not be there,” Pierre-Richard Prosper, the U.S. ambassador for war crimes, told the Preparation for the International Criminal Court conference.

The 1998 Rome treaty establishing the court needs 13 more ratifications to come into force. So far, it has the support of nearly every European country, including key U.S. allies Germany, Britain and France.

Some delegates to the conference accused the United States of seeking justice for everyone but its own citizens.

Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias van Aartsen said the Sept. 11 terror attacks are “precisely” the sort of crimes that should be prosecuted by the permanent court. The U.S. fears are “simply not realistic,” he said.

The United States is sending the wrong signal, he said, and “will not benefit from going it alone. It will be counterproductive” in the fight against terrorism, Van Aartsen said.

Under the Clinton administration, the United States signed the Rome statute along with more than 100 other countries. But Prosper maintained Wednesday that the treaty “lacks essential safeguards” to fend off biased prosecution.

The Bush administration opposed the court before Sept. 11, and since then it has said it prefers to try suspects in its own courts or at military tribunals.