ABSTRACT: During the hunger strike, Olivier Dupuis also wrote a letter to Boutros Ghali, Secretary-general of the United Nations, for the interest shown by the Secretary-general for the establishment of the ad hoc tribunal and for the initiatives of the Radical Party.

------------------------------------

To the attention of Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali

Secretary-general of the United Nations

United Nation's Plaza

New York

N.Y. 10017 U.S.A.

Rome, 23 March 1994

Mr. Secretary-general,

many of us in the world are following the work of the United Nations Fifth Commission with great interest. As you know, the Commission, during its session, is charged with solving a point which you have shown particular interest for: that of the budget of the ad hoc tribunal for war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia, the last obstacle to overcome to allow the tribunal to become effectively operative.

It is a question that, if further delayed, would jeopardize not only the existence of the ad hoc tribunal, but would also weaken the possibility of establishing the international tribunal on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Organization you have the honour of presiding.

It is in this context that on 13 March I started a hunger strike to dialogue with the members of the Fifth Commission, and that over 200 people, including several parliamentarians and personalities, have joined our initiative during this week.

I am writing to you, Mr. Secretary-general, not only on grounds of the position you have upheld and promoted as Secretary-General of the United Nations, but also on grounds of the interest and support you have shown for the initiatives of the Radical Party in terms of international justice and on the strengthening and democratization of the United Nations, with the hope that, in the context of your competences, you can intervene so that the question of the budget may be finally solved during the coming session of the Fifth Commission.

Thanking you for your attention, I remain

Yours sincerely,

Olivier Dupuis

(President of the Radical Party's General Council)

Translator's notes

(*) DUPUIS OLIVIER. (1958). Belgian conscientious objector, surrendered himself to the Belgian justice system and served an 11-month sentence in the prison of Saint Gilles. Worked at the French-speaking edition of "Radical News". Organized and participated in nonviolent and antitotalitarian demonstrations in the countries of Eastern Europe, and was for this reason expelled from Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. Currently coordinates the party's activities in Rumania and Hungary. He is now working on the the project on the "New Party".