The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs

Wolfgang Schüssel

Mr. Olivier Dupuis, MEP

European Parliament

Rue Wiertz 60

B-1047 Brussels

BELGIUM

No.2221.02/00l8e-I.7/1998

Ref. 2221.02/0009e-I.A/l 998

28 September 1998

Dear Mr. Dupuis,

Thank you very much for your letter dated August 17, in which you report on your talks during the summer regarding the world-wide abolition of the death penalty and the question of a possible resolution at the 53rd United Nations General Assembly.

As you know from our last exchange of letters in July, a similar attempt at the 51st General Assembly was not successful, while a majority of the Commission on Human Rights was in favour. The question of the best follow-up to these resolutions has in the meantime been repeatedly discussed by EU experts. According to the prevalent opinion another unsuccessful resolution at the General Assembly would seem to detract from the progress achieved at the Human Rights Commission. Any such attempt would undoubtedly have to be very carefully reflected as to its chances for success. Austria, as presidency, is in continuous contact with the ltalian delegation to the General Assembly which had been the principal sponsor of the relevant draft resolution at the 5lst General Assembly. Whereas the proposal that an eventual UNGA-resolution on this topic should be an EU initiative is a valid one, EU partners share the concern that an attempt during the current General Assembly would be premature, especially given the developme

nts at the July session of ECOSOC.

We are, however, pursuing a proactive strategy for the abolition of the death penalty through bilateral démarches, based upon the recently adopted EU Guidelines on this question. In addition, this position wili also be re-enforced in declarations made by the presidency at the General Assembly.

Reiterating my appreciation for your letter and the concerns for the abolition of the death penalty contained therein, I remain

sincerely yours,

Wolfgang Schüssel