USA SUPPORTS NEW APPROACH TO ARRESTING KARADZIC

SARAJEVO, Jan 23 (Hina) - Pierre-Richard Prosper, the US ambassador in charge of war crimes issues, and the High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown, said on Thursday a number of measures would be taken to enable the arrest of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic as soon as possible. #L# The United States is ready to take measures which are being considered by the Office of the High Representative, in cooperation with other international organisations, Prosper told reporters in Sarajevo after meeting Ashdown. The US administration has no doubts regarding the importance of bringing Karadzic to justice, Prosper said. He added that the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) would not stop working until Karadzic was brought to justice. Ashdown confirmed that efforts aimed at arresting Karadzic included the thwarting of the network of people who are helping and protecting him. Ashdown would not say which measures were being considered, saying only that the last days of Slobodan Milosevic's regime were a good indicator of what could happen. Prosper confirmed that he would bring up the question of Karadzic's arrest during his visit to Banja Luka on Friday. He said that no concrete deadlines would be set, but the Bosnian Serb authorities had to know that Karadzic's arrest was their responsibility as well. He added that his message to the Bosnian Serb authorities would be the same as his message to the Serbian authorities - that they had to make progress towards the resolution of the problem. Prosper and Ashdown confirmed that there was full support for the establishment of a special court for war crimes in the country. The US diplomat said his government would provide financial and technical assistance for the establishment of such a court. According to previous announcements, the court, which would be part of the Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina, could start functioning in early 2004. (hina) rml