ZAGREB, Nov 9 (Hina) - Croatian Justice Minister Zvonimir Separovic on Tuesday welcomed the positive attitude of the President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Gabrielle Kirk McDonald, toward
Croatia regarding two issues he discussed with the ICTY President in September. In a statement issued today, Separovic said, "it is clear now that chances of imposing political sanctions by the Security Council are growing less serious". As can be seen from the report Kirk McDonald submitted to the UN General Assembly, "the ICTY President has accepted our proposal that those who have voluntarily surrendered to the Hague Tribunal be released on bail", Separovic said. Another example of acceptance of Croatia's suggestions is the proposal that "the ICTY Trial Chamber discuss the issue of ICTY's jurisdiction over matters regarding military-police operations Flash and Storm
ZAGREB, Nov 9 (Hina) - Croatian Justice Minister Zvonimir Separovic
on Tuesday welcomed the positive attitude of the President of the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY),
Gabrielle Kirk McDonald, toward Croatia regarding two issues he
discussed with the ICTY President in September.
In a statement issued today, Separovic said, "it is clear now that
chances of imposing political sanctions by the Security Council are
growing less serious".
As can be seen from the report Kirk McDonald submitted to the UN
General Assembly, "the ICTY President has accepted our proposal
that those who have voluntarily surrendered to the Hague Tribunal
be released on bail", Separovic said.
Another example of acceptance of Croatia's suggestions is the
proposal that "the ICTY Trial Chamber discuss the issue of ICTY's
jurisdiction over matters regarding military-police operations
Flash and Storm (which in 1995 liberated most of Croatia's occupied
areas)",the Justice Minister said.
"Although it is a pity that our proposal regarding the change of the
ICTY Rules of Procedure and Evidence has not been included in the
agenda of the autumn session but the debate on the matter has been
postponed for spring, this is still an indication and we warmly
welcome the fact that our proposal has not been rejected and that it
is going to be considered", Separovic said in a statement.
Croatia suggested changes to the ICTY Rules of Procedure and
Evidence so that it could present its stands regarding the nature of
documents demanded by the ICTY, which are relevant for national
security.
Separovic believed the Tribunal would take into consideration
Croatia's requests, as it did in a dispute regarding the testimony
of the late defence minister Gojko Susak under the threat of a
subpoena.
"We will keep good memories of the Tribunal's President, who leaves
her post in The Hague, not only for her last actions but for
everything. The fact that she forwarded a request by the former
Chief Prosecutor Louise Arbour to the UN Security Council is more a
matter of internal relations at the Tribunal and less of her
personal stand", the statement said.
"Also, it is clear now that chances for the UN Security Council to
impose political sanctions are growing weaker. This proves that we
have cooperated with the Hague Tribunal in important matters and
that the stands of the Croatian Government and the National Sabor
were right", Separovic said.
(hina) jn rml