October 21, 1997

Statement by Mr. PHAKISO MOCHOCHOKO, delegate of Lesotho

[...] Mr. Chairman,

We in the Southern African region share the view that the creation of an international criminal court could transform the United Nations into a third generation international organization capable of meeting the new imperatives of human security. Lesotho and its Southern African partners are thus proud to be amongst those groups which over the years have been able to consolidate their positions and adopt a common stance over some of the essential issues relating to the drafting of the ICC statute. We shall continue to enhance our common stance in the future as we vigorously pursue the goal of establishing an objective and impartial international criminal body in advancement of the principle of individual accountability under international law. We urge other regional and sub-regional blocs to continue to seek common ground and be more proactive in advancing the process leading to Rome in 1998.

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation has already had occasion to express its appreciation to the Italian government for keeping with its well-known juridical tradition and spirit of hospitality by declaring its readiness to host the plenipotentiaries conference in June 1998.

As Hon Kelebone Maope, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lesotho said on the occasion of the 52nd session of the General Assembly:

"The time has now come for the necessary arrangements for the convening of such a conference to be put in place and reaffirming the June 1998 date will enable the Italian government to proceed with the necessary logistical arrangements and ensure that the court is established before the end of the century... We remain convinced that the early establishment of the court will offer the advantage of a system that aims to serve the common global good by preventing local outbreaks of violence from becoming security crises with global repercussions as well as deter the continued recurrence of genocide and other massive crimes against humanity that have haunted the world since Nuremburg and Tokyo".

Mr. Chairman,

Lesotho has benefitted from the Trust Fund established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 51/207. We express our gratitude to the countries that have contributed to the Fund. It is however- regrettable that the Fund only covers travel costs. In view of the fact that subsistence costs surpass tile costs of all economy ticket almost three-fold, the costs of up-keep remain prohibitive. Our concern is underscored by the fact that according to our rough calculations, subsistence for one delegate for six weeks in Rome will be in the region of $10,000.00. More and generous assistance is thus needed to enable participants from least developed and developed countries to fully participate in the process.

Lastly, Mr. Chairman, my delegation expresses its appreciation to the NGO's for the role they have played and continue to play. The scope of the challenges that lie ahead requires us to mobilize and ensure that all forces contribute substantially to this initiative. We should thus not only support the NGO's role, but must strive to engage them more for our mutual benefit of moving the process forward.