San Jose, September 12, 1997

  Ref.: CDH/11.383-184

Excellency,

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your kind communication of May 16, 1997, received at the Secretariat of the Court on June 3, 1997, in which you report on the various arrangements made by your Illustrious Government in connection with compliance with the Judgment on reparations in the El Amparo Case.

On the instructions of the full Court, allow me to inform you that the Tribunal has made a detailed study of the information furnished by your Illustrious Government and considered that the State of Venezuela must comply with the Judgment on reparations of September 14, 1996, abiding by the criteria for distribution set forth in that Judgment and that no other criteria that in any way contradict the judgment may be applied, in view of its firmness and finality.

Nevertheless, the Court observes from the State's brief that events or circumstances have arisen which alter or impede payment of compensation awarded to some of the beneficiaries originally listed in the Judgment. In such cases, the criteria set forth in paragraphs 41 and 42 of the Judgment must be followed, unless new circumstances have occurred which cannot be resolved in the terms established therein, in which case the possible beneficiaries must establish their rights in the domestic courts. However, for fulfillment of this Judgment, the State shall legally deposit the amounts fixed therein.

Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest and most distinguished consideration.

  Héctor Fix-Zamudio

   President

His Excellency

Miguel Angel Burelli-Rivas

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Caracas, Venezuela