UNITED NATIONS, March 31 (UPI) -- The main sticking point, according to a spokeswoman for the U.K. delegation, was the use of a "exclusive jurisdiction" clause by the U.S.
Washington was adamant it should get absolute protection for Americans working in Sudan so that they would never be tried by the international tribunal.
The resolution to try cases at the ICC was introduced by France to the 15-member Security Council a week ago after a U.N. special panel found crimes against humanity had occured in the western Darfur region of Sudan.
Originally intended as part of one resolution, which covered further peacekeeping, sanctions and the prosecution of war crimes, it was put to three different votes because of the divisive opinion over Sudan.
Negotiations about the wording of the war crimes resolution continued until the last moment, with a vote postponed several times.
The prospect of the Chinese taking over the presidency of the Security Council Friday forced France to ask for a vote in a 9 p.m. EST meeting Thursday.
High level talks between French Foreign Minister Michael Barnier, U.S Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also occurred.
By protecting Americans against prosecution in Sudan it was hoped the veto could be avoided and the U.S. would simply abstain.
