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Mr. Christian Wenaweser, Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein and President of the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) briefed reporters on the conclusion of the Special Working Group on the Crime of Aggression. Crime of aggression was defined as "an act which means the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State."

Mr. Wenaweser explained the working group looked mainly at including in the Court's proceedings on individual criminal responsibility. The goal being to allow the Court to "exercise jurisdiction over the crime of aggression on the basis of the Security Council referral."

He stated that "aggression is an act committed by a state onto others in the state. It can happen as an act by someone or some entity who is in a leadership position."

Other issues:

The Secretary General's (SG) board of inquiry has finished its review of the incidents that occurred in Gaza at the end of December through end of January 2009. The board will travel to Gaza on February 19th, and report to the SG upon completion of its mission. A land mine clearance group has noticed a large number of cluster bombs gathered in Gaza City. The UNDP (Development Program) estimates that over 14,000 homes were totally or partially damaged due to the conflict. Of the more than 400 schools, 60 percent have been damaged. On Zimbabwe, the WHO said the recent outbreak of cholera included over 70,000 cases with over 3,500 deaths. Risk of flooding is also making medical access to some areas difficult.

Today, the President of the UN Human Rights Council gave an update on the universal periodic review to address the human rights situation and the current financial and economic crisis. He also spoke of a fact finding mission in Gaza, and expressed his intention of adding additional experts in the region. Go to: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/index.htm.

Zahir Tanin, Representative to the UN for Afghanistan highlighted the need for change. Ambassador Tanin has been following the Security Council process of reform. "Instead of competition there are now negotiations and compromises." As for the implementation of the democratization of the United Nations, he stated swift actions have been taken. On 19-29 January, the debate on UN reforms were wrapped up and a plan drawn on how to move toward more effective negotiations. We are going to now circulate the work plan to member states beforehand and to get started on the negotiations. "As I represent Afghanistan, we are well aware of the need for peace and prosperity."

video on website.