Republic of Austria

The Federal Minister

For Foreign Affairs

Wolfgang Schussel

A-1014 Vienna, Ballhausplatz 2

Phone: 43/1/53115-0

Fax: 43/1/5354530

Olivier Dupuis

Secretary of the Radical Party

European Parliament

Rue Wiertz 60

B-1047 Brussels, Belgium

16th July 1998

Dear Mr. Dupuis,

Thank you very much for your letter dated May 11th, in which you express your appreciation for Austria's commitment to the world-wide abolition of the death penalty during the negotiations on the respective Resolution of the Human Rights Commission last 3rd of April.

In your letter, you furthermore expressed the conviction of your party and of the abolitionist group "Hands Off Cain", that the conditions now exist for the UN General Assembly to pronounce itself in favour of the establishment of a world-wide moratorium.

As you know, a respective attempt at the 51st General Assembly has not been successful, whereas a majority could be found at the Commission on Human Rights. The follow-up to these resolutions has been discussed again in the EU Working Group on Human Rights chaired by Austria (COHOM July 2nd). The general feeling among delegations was that another unsuccessful resolution at the General Assembly would be more likely to take away from the progress achieved at the Human Rights Commission. Any such attempt would therefore have to be very carefully judged with regard to chances for success. Austria, as presidency, will remain in continuous contact with the Italian delegation to the General Assembly as the principal sponsors.

Reiterating my appreciation for your letter and your expressed concerns for the abolition of the death penalty I remain

Yours sincerely

Wolfgang Schussel