Copyright 1999 Czech News Agency (CTK)

April 13, 1999

CZECH REPUBLIC SIGNS STATUTE ON INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

The Czech Republic today became the 81st state to sign the Rome statute

on the International Criminal Court, the aim of which is the punishment of

war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and in the future even of

the crime of "aggression." The Czech ambassador to the UN, Vladimir

Galuska, signed the document on behalf of the Czech Republic at the New

York headquarters of the UN.

The UN conference in Rome decided to establish the court last July after

drawn out negotiations full of controversy. One hundred and twenty

countries voted for the establishment of the court, seven were against, and

21 countries abstained. The tribunal will be located in The Hague and will

consist of 18 judges from various countries who will each have a nine year

term of office.

The concept of "aggression," which is only mentioned in the current version

of the statute, is currently being considered by Preparatory Commission for

the Court set up by the UN. The results of the negotiations should be

interesting in view of the the current air attacks on Yugoslavia which has

said that the attacks are in contravention of international law and amount

to an aggression.

UN General Secretary Kofi Annan said at the concluding ceremony of last

year's conference that for many it would have been desirable if the

tribunal had been vested with greater powers, but that that should not them

to minimize the breakthrough achieved. The establishment of the court was,

said Annan, "a gift of hope to future generations."