THE HAGUE, 04/07/08 - Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen wants the international community to draw up a definition of terrorism. On the basis of this, terrorist suspects should be tried by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

Verhagen suggested that an internationally-accepted definition of terrorism should describe this crime as a crime against humanity. This would make it possible for terrorism to come under the Statute of Rome that is the basis for the ICC.

Verhagen was speaking yesterday at the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Statute of Rome. He urged ratification of the Statute by more countries. Currently, 106 countries are parties to the statute. The US, India and China have not yet ratified it.

Verhagen is hopeful that the US will eventually sign the Statute. "It is clear to me that we do not want to see any situations where suspects are held as now occurs in Guantanamo Bay," said Verhagen.

Verhagen also said that he is sure that the ICC will overcome recent setbacks such as the temporary release of Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga. He stressed that the ICC has only been operational for six years, which is "no more than a moment in world history," he remarked.

The 10th anniversary celebrations of the Statute of Rome were also attended by Princess Maxima, French Foreign Affairs State Secretary Rama Yade, the president and prosecutor of the ICC and diplomats.