Oct. 28, 1996

Statement by Mr. Pieter Kruger

Mr. Chairman,

[...] The most pressing question facing this Committee is agreeing on when the diplomatic conference should be held. As is evident from the above-mentioned report, the Preparatory Committee was not prepared to totally commit itself on this issue, preferring instead to leave the decision to the General Assembly. Judging, however, from the wording of the recommendations that "on the basis of its scheme of the work, .... it is realistic to regard the holding of a diplomatic conference that, bearing in mind the progress made thus far, 1998 should be set as the year of the of the diplomatic conference will take place in 1998. Its would be appropriate to resolve that the specific arrangements for the diplomatic conference will be dealt with at the 52nd session of the General Assembly in 1997.

Mr Chairman,

As to the holding oaf the diplomatic conference, South Africa takes note of the generous offer of Italy that the conference beheld in that country. Whilst much will depend on when the conference will be suitable for the Italian Government, we would be in favour of setting the second half of 1998 as the time when the diplomatic conference will be held, but obviously before the fall session of the General Assembly. [...]

Finally, Mr. Chairman, the South African delegation must reiterate the concern it expressed in its intervention last year. This concern the lack of participation in the preparatory process by certain geographical regions. In the preparatory process by certain geographical regions. In this regard, South Africa this year, inter alia, held a national workshop on the ICC to which is also invited representatives of other Member States of the southern African region. The process is moving inexorably forward. The question is not if, but when, the international criminal court will be established. [...]