October 24, 1997

Statement by the Permanent Representative of Italy, H.E. Ambassador Francesco Paolo Fulci

Mr. Chairman,

First of all, I would like to thank you for this opportunity to briefly address the Sixth Committee at the end of the debate on the establishment of an International Criminal Court. Since my delegation was among the first to speak on this subject, I will not repeat what we said on that occasion.

However, after hearing to so many statements welcoming our offer to host the diplomatic conference, and endorsing the proposal to hold the conference in Rome, I felt obliged to say a few words of thanks to the countries that have expressed their support, often in a very warm and touching manner. Italy is extremely grateful for these expressions of confidence in its capacity to prepare and organize the conference, and will do its best to prove worthy of this privilege.

Mr. Chairman,

Today, 24 October 1997, is a special day for the United Nations, marking the 52nd anniversary of our Organization. On this occasion, the President of Italy, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, has sent a message to the Secretary-General of the U.N. with his warmest and best wishes, together with those of the Italian people. This message includes the following passage, which is highly significant with regard to the question of the establishment of an ICC.

" Italy is proud to have made a fundamental contribution, in the past year, to the implementation of great battles of civility and law, especially for the abolition of the death penalty and the establishment of an International Criminal Court with a mandate to prosecute and punish genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, wherever and by whomever they are committed. Italy is ready to host in Rome the diplomatic conference to adopt the Statute of the new Court".

No better testimony could be given of our full and unreserved commitment to the establishment of the Court.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.