In order to oppose the new warlords responsible for these tragedies of humanity and of civilization, the international community must furnish itself with new instruments to punish the guilty parties and deter any others around the world who might be tempted to follow their "example".

It is therefore necessary, as soon as possible, to create an international penal jurisdiction and an instrument capable of ensuring the respect of international law. It is necessary to institute a permanent international penal Tribunal under the aegis of the United Nations.

Thanks to the recent adoption by the International Law Committee (ILC) of the United Nations of the draft statute of the international Tribunal, this project, whose need is felt by the vast majority of international opinion, could very soon become reality.

It is therefore necessary to promote widespread international mobilization to persuade the General Assembly to approve the statute during its current plenary session. In this way it will be possible to convene an inter-governmental Conference by the end of next year in order to submit the Treaty for the institution of the Tribunal to the approval of the member states. What decision could honour the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations in a more concrete, effective manner?

It is for these reasons that we ask you to give your immediate support to the enclosed appeal, addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations and to the governments of the world, which we will be publishing in the international press at the beginning of October.

Thank you for your attention. In the hope that you will give your immediate support, please accept our best regards.

Emma Bonino (President of the Radical Party, member of parliament)

Olivier Dupuis (President of the General Council of the Radical Party)

Please address your reply to

Fax 06-68805396 * Tel 06-689791