MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE

1999 December 06

Mr. Olivier Dupuis

Member of the European Parliament

Brussels

BELGIUM

Dear Mr. Dupuis

In response to your query on Jamaica's intentions with regard to adherence to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, I have to inform you that our legal authorities are still examining the matter.

As a question of policy, Jamaica expects to sign the Statute and I certainly hope that the Honourable Attorney General and the Honourable Minister of National Security and justice will soon complete their study. Once they advise Cabinet on the legal implications of adherence to the Statute, we shall be able to determine how soon we may ratify it, based on the nature of those implications.

I appreciate your interest and my Ministry will keep our Ambassador in Brussels briefed on developments so that he may keep you updated as necessary.

Please accept my best wishes for the coming festive season and for the New Year.

Yours sincerely,

Seymour Mullings

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade