by the Honorable Conrad k. Harper : legal adviser. US department of State

.........Strenghteningthe rule of law is a priority of my Government: As I shall explain later, we want to resolve fundamental issues involved in this proposal through intensive consultations PRIOR TO THE NEXT GENERAL ASSEMBLY........

My government does not support including drug related crimes within the court's jurisdiction.....No one can doubt the commitment of my government to combating terrorism and drug trafficking......(but) we believe that national prosecutions will normally be preferable to international ones....

For cases involving war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.....we believe that THE SECURITY COUNCIL should have the sole authority to determine whether such cases should be heard by the court

....(Furthermore...) International investigations and proceedings are very expensive. The financial burden on States parties may be significant....the considerable expenses attached to this endeavor provides all the more reason to ensure that cases are not unnecessarily removed from the competence of domestic authorities.

The ILC has completed an ambitious project. It is now time for States TO CONSULT AND TO DECIDE ON FUTURE STEPS. We supporto the idea of further intergovernmental discussions on the question of establishment of a Court. In that respect, we believe that the general assembly

should establish an intersessional ad hoc committee open to all States that would meet at some convenient time before the beginning of the 50th General Assembly session to discuss issues related to the establishment of International Criminal Court. On the basis of those discussions, States would be able to make an informed decision WHETHER a diplomatic conference should be convened. In the meantime, we hope that the sith Committee will defer a decision on setting a date for a conference.....