Preparatory Commission for

International Criminal Court

31^st Meeting (AM)

PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT BRIEFED

ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR SWIFT START-UP

Court Could Begin Operations in Summer of 2002, Says Netherlands Foreign Minister

The Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, where the seat of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is to be located, briefed the Court’s Preparatory Commission this morning on the logistical arrangements under way to ensure that the Court could begin operations from its very first day, which he said could be as early as the summer of 2002.

Also, the representative of the United States, Steven Mathias, took the floor to thank the Commission for commencing its session yesterday with a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the 11 September terrorist attacks against the United States.  Quoting United States Secretary of State Colin Powell, he said his Government was deeply encouraged by the expressions of solidarity from many foreign governments.  He expressed condolences to the many other nations whose citizens suffered in the terrorist attacks.  The United States looked forward to support from the international community in bringing an end to the menace of terrorism.

Jozias van Aartsen, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, noting that the session was taking place in a particularly harrowing period, said New York had been shaken to its foundation less than two weeks ago by the evil powers of terrorism.  “We emerge, more convinced than ever of the need to strengthen the international legal order and the fight against universal crimes.  Where better to begin our renewed effort than in that same city of New York?” he said.

More than ever, the importance of the ICC was clear to all.  Universal crimes demanded a universal answer, he said.  Ratifications of the Rome Statute were occurring at a faster pace than was anticipated, and the international community could expect the sixtieth ratification [which would bring the treaty establishing the Court into force] well before the summer of 2002.  Therefore, meticulous planning was necessary to ensure that the Court could carry out its work from the very start.

As to specific arrangements by his country, the Foreign Minister said that the Government had recently expanded the ICC task force to 10 officials, and a senior official with the title of Director-General would be appointed shortly to head it.  A prime permanent location for the Court had already been secured.     

ICC Preparatory Commission          - 2 -                   Press Release L/2985  31^ST Meeting (AM)                                              25 September 2001

The site had long been used by the military and was ideal from a security and transport perspective.  An international architectural competition for the design of the Court’s building was being organized.  The building, which would comprise 30,000 square metres was expected to be finished by 2007.

In the meantime, interim premises would be available from the first day of the Court’s existence.  The Netherlands was investing a total of € 33 million on the building which was located opposite the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.  Special attention would be given to security measures, he said.  The Government was also providing office furniture and equipment for up to 100 officials and staff members.  In addition, the Netherlands was willing to contribute financially to the initial meetings of the Assembly of States Parties and its Bureau.  It would also bear the full cost of the inaugural session of the Court, to take place at The Hague.

Philippe Kirsch (Canada), Chairman of the Preparatory Commission, said that the long tradition and experience of the Netherlands in hosting legal institutions was a source of great confidence in the preparations the country was taking.

The Commission will meet again in plenary on Monday, 1 October, at 10 a.m. to hear reports from its working groups.

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