Foreign Affairs committee  The atmosphere surrounding the Court today has nevertheless improved in the past three years. That's something we perceive: the Court is better understood and therefore better appreciated. One of the obstacles we encountered is the one I referred to, problems in the field. One of the obstacles we might encounter is a prolonged slowdown in the number of ratifications.

Foreign Affairs committee  I believe we've drawn lessons from the experience of the ad hoc tribunals, in particular that it is necessary to conduct prosecutions as efficiently and rapidly as possible, to the extent that's compatible with the administration of justice as it should be carried out. The Statute itself contains provisions in this regard, for example the creation of a preliminary division which is designed to eliminate from the trial itself everything that should precede it.

Foreign Affairs committee  I could answer you by saying that's a question for the prosecutor, but I'll nevertheless give you an additional answer. Unlike the ad hoc tribunals created by the Security Council, the International Criminal Court is in a very different situation. Those tribunals dealt with crimes that had been committed in the past, in the context of conflicts that were over.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank your very much. As regards replacing a culture of impunity with a culture of accountability, that's obviously a long-term undertaking. The Court will have to prove itself. It recognizes that it is primarily responsible for establishing its credibility. However, the first signs are quite encouraging.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for this introduction. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am very pleased to speak with you today about the International Criminal Court. I will divide my remarks into three parts: why the ICC is necessary, the features that are designed to make the ICC well-suited to meet this need, and where the court stands today, including what it will take for the court to be a success.