Preparatory panel on International Criminal Court begins session in New York

The United Nations panel laying the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the International Criminal Court opened a two-week session at United Nations Headquarters in New York today, hearing a call for the inclusion of terrorism in the court's Statute.

"During the last two weeks, there emerged a general consensus that the world has entered a new period as a result of these horrible terrorist attacks" against the United States said Turkey's representative, Daryal Batibay. "International terrorism has emerged as the most urgent and compelling crime the world is presently confronted with."

The meeting began with a moment of silence in memory of the recent terrorist attacks against the United States. "Even those of us who were not immediately and personally affected by that violence felt painfully assaulted and feel a profound sense of loss indeed," said Commission Chairman Ambassador Philippe Kirsch of Canada, extending condolences on behalf to the United States, New York and all those who were grieving for the loss of their loved ones.

The Chairman noted that as of today, 38 States had become parties to the Court's Statute, which will enter into force once it has been ratified by 60 countries. During the meeting, representatives of Peru, Poland, Mexico and Switzerland announced plans to ratify the Statute soon.

Poland's representative, Piotr Ogonowski, said the attacks heightened the importance of the session. "This unprecedented attack against innocent civilians makes us all the more aware of the relevance of the work that we are carrying out," he said. The very purpose of the establishment of an International Criminal Court is to prevent atrocities against innocent people and massive loss of human life."

The Preparatory Commission has the task of negotiating practical arrangements to pave the way for the eventual functioning of the Court. Specific issues currently under consideration include drafting a relationship agreement between the Court and the UN as well as a relationship agreement between the Court and its host country, the Netherlands. Negotiators are also working to define the crime of aggression. In addition, they are setting up the Court's financial rules and regulations as well as its first-year budget.