17 October 1996

Mr. Olivier Dupuis,

Radical Party,

Centre de Coordination de Bruxelles, 97-113 Rue Belliard,

1047 Bruxelles.

Dear Mr. Dupuis,

I refer to your letter of 18th September 1996 concerning the establishment of the International Criminal Court.

Ireland has strongly advocated the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court, as we believe that it is only through such a Court that the international community can effectively bring to justice those responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law. The support of the European Union for the establishment of an International Criminal Court was made clear in the memorandum accompanying my Presidency address on behalf of the European Union to the 51st. General Assembly of the United Nations on 24 September last.

The Preparatory Committee established under UN General Assembly Resolution 50/46 to begin negotiations on the provisions of an international treaty to establish the International Criminal Court has made progress and the issue will be taken up by the United Nations General Assembly during its current session in late October.

Ireland, and its partners in the European Union, have been actively participating in the discussions to date within the Preparatory Committee. In our role as Presidency of the European Union, Ireland will be active in promoting the support of the Union for such a Court as well as working for a constructive outcome to the debate within the UN General Assembly on its establishment

Yours sincerely,

Dick Spring

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs.