November 6, 1995

...In spite of the absence of consensus on whether to retain the crime of aggression within the limited jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court my delegation strongly believes that the United Nations could hardly turn a blind eye to the exclusion of the crime of aggression from the sphere of competence of the Court whereas the principle of the non-use of force by Member States against the territorial integrity or political independence of states has been solemnly enshrined in its Charter. Azerbaijan shares the view expressed earlier in the course of discussions and reflected in the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee that it is essential and possible "to find a proper balance between the requirement of the independence of the Court and the need to respect the primary role of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security". Without going into much detail I would like just to put it clear that recent tragic crisis in the Balkans as well as the aggression of a neighboring state

against my own country must have proved to everyone that the acts or wars of aggression should be nipped in the bud and their perpetrators must not get away with their crimes unpunished.

The report of the Ad Hoc committee has clearly revealed the need for further detailed elaboration of some important aspects of the matter. In this respect my delegation expresses its willingness to take part in future discussions in order to remove all existing differences. Regarding the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee on our future work my delegation welcomes the idea of setting up a Preparatory Committee entrusted with the task of elaborating a consolidated text of a convention for an International Criminal Court as well as trying to define a concrete date for holding the Conference of plenipotentiaries.