10/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - Graham Watson, president of the Liberal group at the European Parliament sharply attacked the "attempts of the USA to persuade the Security Council of extending the immunity of US personnel" acting under the supervision of the UN against any cases enjoined against them by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Watson explained in a press statement that he had asked the EU to stand firm in its defence of the International Criminal Court, which symbolised Europe's commitment to justice beyond its borders. According to Watson, recent events in prisons in Iraq justified the role of the ICC even more. The latte welcomed the appeal from Germany to initiate a vast debate on the shabby compromise agreed to with the US last year on the Court. Watson announced that his groups would be requesting a debate on this subject as soon as the new European Parliament was in place.