At our Group's 1995 business meeting in New York, our informal steering committee suggested that our Newsletter carry a restatement of the essential goals of the United Nations Decade of International Law in each issue. Thus, new members (and seasoned ones as well) can readily recall the reason for our existence. The Decade has four essential objectives:

• promoting acceptance of the substantive principles of International Law;
  
• promoting peaceful settlement of disputes, including greater use of the International Court of Justice (ICJ);
  
• encouraging progressive development of International Law and its codification;
  
• encouraging the teaching, study, dissemination, and wider acceptance of International Law.
  
  

R. St. J. Macdonald was elected an Honorary Member of the American Society of International Law at the ASIL's Annual Meeting. His career highlights include service as a judge on the European Court of Human Rights; distinguished service on a various Canadian law faculties; scholarship too measureless to be summarized here; and of course being the founding Chair of the ASIL's UN Decade Interest Group. Those present at the ASIL's Annual Meeting were delighted to witness the bestowing of this honor by the Society on one of its longterm supporters.

John King Gamble of Pennsylvania State University moderated the kickoff panel of the 1996 ASIL Annual Meeting, entitled Global Networks, New Technologies and International Law. While we are used to seeing John serve in this capacity, we should nevertheless recognize his contributions unceasing contribution to the work of the ASIL.

NOTE: Pursuant to the 1996 business meeting directive, members are requested to immediately advise Professor Slomanson (see page one of this Newsletter for communication information) regarding their presentations on International Law to non-lawyer groups during the upcoming year.