Article 36 of Additional Protocol I of 1977 states that:

“In the study, development, acquisition or adoption of a new weapon, means or method of warfare, a High Contracting Party is under an obligation to determine whether its employment would, in some or all circumstances, be prohibited by this Protocol or by any other rule of international law applicable to the High Contracting Party”.

The provision is not new law, but codifies the customary law duty of implementing a treaty or customary rule in good faith. Article 36 does, however, draw attention to the fact that new developments in weapons are quietly going on, and that care must be taken, before their deployment, that their use in some or all circumstances does not violate international humanitarian law. Although the duty to determine in advance the legality of the use of new weapons lies with the State developing them, other States have a legal interest in ensuring that this is done.

In Chad, the ICRC delegation continued efforts to gain access to Libyan prisoners of war held by the Hissène Habré government, and also carried out orthopaedic and dissemination work.

Friday 5 May 1989, 9.00 a.m. Three days before Bulgaria and the whole world were to mark World Red Cross Day, the Head of the International Relations Department of the Bulgarian Red Cross, Alexander Marinov, and the journalist writing this article, were at the Radio Sofia studio where one of the most popular radio programmes, “Good Morning”, was being broadcast. We were taking part in a live broadcast in which, in the course of two hours, we would have to describe the activities of such an incredible humanitarian organization as the Red Cross. The audience was cross-examining us. The girls at the telephones could hardly manage to write down all the questions.

The strength of the Red Cross and Red Crescent resides in its structures, in its humanitarian mandate as defined in the Geneva Conventions and in the values enshrined in international humanitarian law. The Movement's Fundamental Principles further define its aims and give widely accepted guidelines for its activities. The National Societies with their local branches and volunteers provide the physical network that completes the structure and now covers the entire world.

Once again in 1990, northern Ethiopia was the scene of heavy fighting and much human suffering. The armed conflict continued and tension increased during the year. In February, the port of Massawa changed hands after a major battle, leaving Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, dependent on air transport for communications with the rest of the country. Further south, major clashes were reported within 150 kilometres of the capital. Heavy fighting took place near Dessie (Wollo province) and Bahr Dar (a town in northern Gojjam province, near Lake Tana).