US CONGRESSMEN DISCUSS INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

Ljubljana, 19 August 2002


President of the Republic, Milan Kucan, received a delegation of five US Congressmen headed by Chairman Henry J. Hyde. At the forefront of the discussion was the US proposal for a bilateral agreement regarding the Rome International Criminal Court.

The President of the Republic reiterated the guarantee given also by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, that Slovenia would thoroughly study the proposal and make a decision with full responsibility. In doing so, Slovenia will also follow the example of EU member states, most of which are also NATO member states. President Kucan also expressed his full understanding of the position of American forces who are requested to intervene in international conflicts, while at the same time assessing the establishment of the International Criminal Court as an important mark of progress in international relations in terms of protecting human rights against state terror and mass violations.

The President also stated that ever since independence Slovenia has been pursuing two strategic objectives: EU and NATO membership. Slovenia never understood independence as isolation, but rather as the right to choose whom it wants to share its destiny with, the President said. The understanding of the great interdependence in our world compels Slovenia to seek partnerships that go beyond alliances and which would pave the way for higher forms of future global governance.