October 21, 1997

Statement by Miss GAILE A. RAMOUTAR

[...]

We are therefore of the view that the General Assembly at this Session must ensure that all the necessary arrangements and resources are provided for the convening of the Diplomatic Conference in Rome in the summer of 1998. We do not expect all the legal and political issues to be resolved during the preparatory phase. These should, therefore, be more appropriately left to the Diplomatic Conference. We submit that the draft Statute as well as procedural issues would be further discussed at that stage, and all texts adopted and opened for signature. We do not believe that it would be feasible to adopt piecemeal certain provisions at the Rome Conference, while deferring others to a later date. We must be willing to compromise on national positions for the good of the international community. [...]