What follows is TRP's contribution for the next issue of the ICC monitor newsletter of the NGO Coalition for an International Criminal Court.

CALENDARIZING INTERNATIONAL DECISION MAKING

Through the establishment of an International Criminal Court, (ICC) the United Nations is not only achieving a fundamental objective for international peace and justice, but is also demonstrating that it can be the place for transnational decision-making, where a combination of a rigorous calendarization of its legislative exercises and the participation and involvement of the public can be possible and effective.

The adoption of Resolution A/RES/52/160 last December 15, by the 52nd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA), may seem a marginal aspect of the process of the establishment of the ICC, but the document, passed by consensus, finally sets the date for the convening of the Diplomatic Conference (DipCon) for the adoption of the statute. From June 15 to July 17, 1998, the city of Rome at the F.A.O. building will host the conference of diplomats that will prepare the convention for the establishment of the ICC. What only a few years ago seemed another noble idea for the people who are victims of armed conflicts, has now become a priority in the international community's agenda for the next century.

Since the beginning of the war in the former Yugoslavia, The Transnational Radical Party (TRP) has always been committed to and involved in finding political solutions to national as well as international crisis. At the end of the 1980s, Marco Pannella, founder and leader of TRP, and at that time Member of the European Parliament (EP), proposed to the European Union (EU) the "adoption" of Yugoslavia as a member of the Union, in order to help the secession process of the regions forcefully kept together by the authoritarian regime of Tito. Later in the '90s, radicals launched several international campaigns and appeals for the creation of the ad hoc tribunals and eventually for the establishment of the ICC. In 1993, more than 75,000 people from all over the world signed a petition for the Yugoslav Tribunal and some members of TRP's General Council fasted for many days - Olivier Dupuis, current Secretary of the party, fasted for over a month - to have a dialogue with the decision-makers of the United Nations.

In 1996 and 1997, two parliamentary petitions were signed by hundreds of parliamentarians from all over the globe, the two documents and the list of signatories were published in the International Herald Tribune and in le Monde, on the eve of the 6th Committee debate on the ICC in October 1996, and for the inauguration of the December PrepCom last year, in order to maintain pressure on delegations.

TRP involvement in the establishment of the ICC reached its peak in 1994, when Emma Bonino, (currently EuroCommissioner for Humanitarian Aid) at that time Member of the Italian Parliament and Secretary of TRP, was appointed as delegate to the 6th Committee by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi. At that session, on behalf of her Government, she formalized Italy's offer to host the conference of plenipotentiaries for the adoption of the statute. Since 1994, Italy has always reiterated the offer and has played a leading role among the "like-minded" states in the negotiations.

Calendarizing politics has always been a radical peculiarity. A pragmatic political approach to problems requires resources, strategy and tactics, but most of all needs a concrete goal. TRP believes that an effective lobbying consists in the outlining of the various positions at stake in order to face possible political resistance mobilizing the public and putting pressure on Governments and decision-makers. The offer for a seat for a treaty conference was a small, marginal proposal that, nonetheless, played a reinvigorating role in giving new momentum to the negotiations.

Not many people or organizations fully understood that it is mainly on small stones that one can build walls, but eventually the idea was supported and endorsed by the totality of individuals and groups sincerely committed to the process, whether Governments or NGOs.

In order to better support the convening of the DipCon in 1998, TRP has strictly collaborated with No Peace Without Justice International Committee in the organization of an international campaign aimed at the sensibilization of decision-makers, media and the public. Conferences on the Court were organized all over the world and literature on the process of its establishment was sent to over 20,000 parliamentarians worldwide. Recently, a draft resolution on a fair independent and effective ICC has been sent to all the signatories of the International parliamentary appeal endorsed by over 600 MPs from 62 countries, so that national assemblies can show their strong support in a coherent and compact way and give precise instructions to their governments for the Treaty Conference.

The road to Rome is long and paved with slippery stones, and only a well-coordinated and reinforcing strategy can help the "like-minded" states in their noble endeavor for the establishment of an effective court this Summer. Despite the inherent complexity of the issue, anybody can help by writing letters to newspapers and magazines, contacting their local representative, letting them know what is going at the PrepComs, and that every vote or position can make a difference for international justice or.

Last but not least, in order to popularize what risks to remain mainly a legal exercise, TRP is organizing in Rome for Easter, a march that from Capital Hill, passing through the seats of the President of the Republic, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, will reach the Vatican in time for the celebration of the ritual mass. Everybody is invited.