November 2, 1995

On behalf of the members of the Caribbean Community Caricom who are members of the United Nations

...We do not wish at this stage to go into the substantive issues as some of our concerns were raised in the Ad Hoc Committee. We are, however, concerned about the form and procedures which must be put in place to ensure that the momentum for the establishment of the court is maintained. In our opinion the Ad Hoc Committee has fulfilled the mandate entrusted to it by the General Assembly in its Resolution 49/53. During the second session of the Ad Hoc Committee, there was the view that the time had come to enter in to a new phase of negotiations to prepare a text of a convention to be adopted by a conference of plenipotentiaries. We support this approach.

It is, therefore, the view of the member states of CARICOM that a preparatory committee could be established with the mandate to prepare such a text. The convening in 1996, of two to three sessions of a two-week duration in each instance would facilitate the process. We further believe that the preparatory work should be completed in time so that a diplomatic conference could be convened in 1997. Without a specific deadline, it is our fear that protracted discussions could ensue and the international community would be nowhere nearer to the establishment of the court.

The momentum is there. What is needed is the commensurate political will to ensure that the work is completed within a reasonable time, that is, in time for a conference in 1997. It would be most unfortunate if this opportunity were lost.