I. Introduction

1. The Special Working Group on the Crime of Aggression of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court held six meetings on 29, 30, 31 January and 1 February 2007. Ambassador Christian Wenaweser (Liechtenstein) served as Chair of the Special Working Group.

2. The Secretariat of the Assembly of States Parties provided the substantive servicing for the Group.

3. The Special Working Group had before it a revised discussion paper1 prepared by the Chairman (hereinafter “Chairman’s paper”) as a reflection of the discussions held over the past years, including at the informal inter-sessional meetings of the Group held at the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at Princeton University.

4. At the first meeting of the Group, the Chairman introduced the revised discussion paper, replacing the 2002 Coordinator’s paper. He noted that the paper had been prepared in light of the progress made at Princeton, without excluding options reflecting views that may not necessarily have broad support. The Chairman also recalled that the Special Working Group had decided to conclude its work 12 months prior to the Review Conference. He indicated that the Group was entering a new phase in its work and that further discussions should be aimed at narrowing existing differences of opinion. Delegations were invited to present their views on the substantive parts of the revised discussion paper while leaving aside issues related to the elements of crime which were included for reference purposes only.

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