U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENDS ITS DISCUSSION ON ICTY

NEW YORK, Nov 20 (Hina) - The United Nations General Assembly on Monday ended a discussion on a report on the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and expressed expectations that political changes in Croatia would lead to a better cooperation with the Tribunal. During the discussion, ICTY president Claude Jorde said the Tribunal was working to its outmost limit and was dissatisfied with cooperation with countries in the region. The establishment of democratic forces in Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia gives hope, the ICTY president added. Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia cannot claim they have taken their spot in the community of nations and until they fulfil their international obligations. French representative at the session of the United Nations General Assembly Francois Alabrune said Croatia demonstrated its political will to cooperate with the ICTY. ICTY President Jorda said the court should work on solving current cases before the year 2007, considering announcements of the prosecution that 36 new investigation processes would be open against 150 suspects, court rooms in The Hague could be full by 2016. Therefore Jorda demanded urgent reforms for the work of the Tribunal, which employs over 1,000 persons. Over US$100 million per year are necessary to have the Tribunal running. (hina) it