WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Hina) - The U.S. special ambassador for the war crimes issues, Pierre Richard Prosper, on Sunday expressed his hope that in relation to the General Janko Bobetko indictment, Croatia would not head towards a
destructive conflict with the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal.
WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Hina) - The U.S. special ambassador for the war
crimes issues, Pierre Richard Prosper, on Sunday expressed his hope
that in relation to the General Janko Bobetko indictment, Croatia
would not head towards a destructive conflict with the Hague-based
UN war crimes tribunal. #L#
Ambassador Prosper, who gave an interview with Hina and the
Croatian television, said Croatia and all countries in the region
were bound to honour their international commitments, including
their cooperation with the ICTY (International Criminal Tribunal
for the former Yugoslavia).
He added that Washington stood by the ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla
del Ponte.
Commenting on a possibility that the "Bobetko case" could
destabilise the region, the ambassador said the Croatian
government had a crucial role in not allowing the destabilisation
to happen.
He does not believe that there may be problems if Croatia speaks in
support of the responsibility, in support of the tribunal and in
support of the fact that Gen. Bobetko is under the jurisdiction of
the tribunal and that it is only correct to act within the rules of
the tribunal.
Prosper cautioned that if Croatia failed to undertake necessary
steps it would be at risk of losing its credibility in the eyes of
the international community.
According to Prosper, the United States understands that there can
be dissatisfaction with the ICTY's indictment against Bobetko, but
it should not be brought into question that the indictment was
confirmed by the tribunal which has its legitimacy and with which
Croatia is bound to cooperate.
The United States expects of Croatia to challenge the indictment
within the frameworks of the ICTY.
Although he declined to directly comment on the Bobetko indictment,
Prosper said his country hoped that when issuing indictments the
ICTY used the doctrine of the command responsibility cautiously and
only in cases when it was applicable.
Commenting on claims that the command responsibility could be used
for bringing some former senior American officials before the ICTY,
Prosper said it was a part of the tactics aimed at discouraging
indictments which would go upward along the commanding structure.
Prosper said the Croatian authorities had to help find an indictee,
General Ante Gotovina, and send him to The Hague.
The U.S. diplomat reiterated that Belgrade also had to cooperate
with the tribunal and help find the wanted war crimes suspects,
Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic (war-time Bosnian Serb
leaders).
He added that the Bosnian Serb entity should take over its share of
responsibility and hand over other indictees.
Asked about war crimes trials before the Croatian courts, Prosper
responded that Croatia was in the forefront as it took over the
responsibility to solve the issues of war crimes in its area.
He knew of difficulties in some processes but he hoped they would be
removed as he was confident that the rule of law strengthened a
democracy and give the strength to Croatia which the country would
need upon its full accession into Europe.
(hina) ms