CHAIRMAN OF THE PARLIAMENT

HEAD OF STATE

OF THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA

29 Rustaveli Ave - Tbilisi

Fax (431)/6029690 ext. 181 Phone 999292

June 2, 1994

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

I welcome your intention to establish a permanent International War Crimes Tribunal. I hope that in the upcoming General Session, the UN will adopt the proposed statutes for the formation of this body.

As in Yugoslavia and other hot spots of the world in this latter part of the Twentieth Century, the Georgian people have experienced the traumas associated with extreme nationalism, radical separatism, ethnic cleansing and the devastation of hundreds of thousands who have become displaced or refugees. We believe that the existence of an International War Crimes Tribunal will assure that any person or regime guilty of such crimes will be responsible not only to the victims, but to the International Community as well.

I request however, insomuch as it is possible and as a renewal of our commitment to humanitarian ideals at the drawn of the new century, the avoidance of capital punishment.

Eduard Shevardnadze