Agence Europe, 8 & 9 February, 1999

28.(EU) NEWS OF THE WEEK: FROM 1 TO 7 FEBRUARY 1999

*** International Criminal Court/Radical Party - "Africa comes first": this was how the transnational Radical Party and "No Peace without Justice" reacted in a press release to the ratification by Senegal of the Statute of the International Criminal Court which will have jurisdiction over crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes. Senegal, which is the first country to have ratified the Statute, "demonstrates the fast track to the world, and to Europe especially" in the process that should allow the Court to enter into function (it will require ratification from at least 60 UN members). The press release recalls that the "Dakar Appeal" in favour of the creation of such a Court had been made public by Senegalese President Douf and by European Commissioner Emma Bonino.