To the attention of Mr David Andrews

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Republic of Ireland

Brussels, March 24, 1998

Mr Minister,

I was yesterday, monday March 23, in Geneva, during the introduction of the discussion on the question of the abolition of the death penalty. The all day was very successfull. In particular I deeply appreciated the statement raised by your ambassador, Mrs Anne Anderson.

In the debate but also out of the plenary session, in particular in the framework of the Conference that my party organized together with "Hands off Cain", it appears very clearly that your country together with Italy is taking the lead of that initiative in the Human Rights Committee.

Please accept my deepest congratulations.

Sincererly yours,

Olivier Dupuis