The International Committee has just produced a new film (16 mm.) entitled “Rescue” on the relief action which it has been pursuing for many months in Nigeria and in the seceding province of Biafra, in co-operation with a large number of National Societies and international relief organizations mentioned on several occasions in the International Review. Of 20 minutes duration, the film is in colour and can now be obtained from the ICRC Information Department in French, English or German versions.

In our last issue we mentioned that 119 states were parties to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949. The International Committee of the Red Cross was recently informed by the Federal Political Department, Berne, of Guyana's accession.

As in previous years, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross sent a message to many countries as follows:

On the threshold of the New Year, as President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, I send you my greetings and best wishes; I share with you the hope that 1968 may at last see an atmosphere of peace prevailing in the world.

On May 5, 1955 the four Powers (Federal Republic of Germany, United States, France, Great Britain) entrusted the administration of this service (ITS) to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The agreements on the ITS, having expired on May 5, 1965 for a second time, have now been extended for an indefinite period with one year's notice of termination between the contracting parties.

As usual, the ICRC has published a report in which it gives a review of its work for the previous year.

The Commission of neutral experts appointed by the International Committee to examine the cases of victims of pseudomedical experiments practised in concentration camps under the Nazi regime, to whom the Government of the German Federal Republic is prepared to pay compensation, again met in Geneva at ICRC headquarters on February 2 and 3, 1968. The President, Mr. William Lenoir, Judge at the Court of Justice of Geneva, was assisted by Dr. Sylvain Mutrux, Medical Assistant Director of the Bel-Air Psychiatric Clinic and Dr. Pierre Magnenat, Professor at the Faculty and assistant at the University Clinic of the Nestlé Hospital in Lausanne. The Polish Red Cross was represented by Miss Zys and Dr. Nowkunski, whilst Dr. Goetz represented the German Red Cross in the Federal Republic of Germany.

In its issue of October 1967, the International Review stated that 116 States were parties to the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949. Since then, the International Committee of the Red Cross has been informed by the Federal Political Department of the participation of two new countries to these Conventions.

A second Round Table on “The Red Cross as a factor in World Peace” should have taken place in Geneva on September 9–10, 1968, following the first, held in The Hague on August 28, 1967. However, due to the conflicts and tension prevailing, and the increased work thereby engendered for some of the people invited, most considered the meeting should be postponed. Whilst concurring, the ICRC noted with pleasure that the persons invited restated their interest in the work and the need to carry it on before the XXIst International Conference of the Red Cross in Istanbul, in order to submit certain definite proposals. It has therefore been decided to convene the second Round Table for January 1969.

The ICRC has just produced a new colour film (16 mm.): Nigeria-Biafra—War and Famine. It shows the ICRC teams bringing relief to the wounded and to the population, both in Nigeria and Biafra. It gives an insight into the dedication of the doctors and their assistants and of the ICRC delegates working under trying conditions to alleviate the widespread suffering and organizing and supervising what relief supply distributions, particularly to children, have been possible.

The important commitments which the ICRC had to face in 1967 are reflected in the following major changes in asset items by comparison with the situation as at December 31, 1966:

Taking advantage of the presence in Geneva of many National Society delegates for the 87th session of the League's Executive Committee, the International Committee arranged a conference at its headquarters. This took place on September 3 and was attended by a large audience.

An introductory course in the law of war and the Geneva Conventions was held in Geneva from November 19 to 22, 1968, for officers of the Swiss army.