$ L SARAJEVO, Feb 12 (Hina) - Bosnians and Serbs have reached an agreement on a Protocol on Cooperation with the International War Crimes Tribunal. The Protocol's aim is to ensure the continuation of the peace process and the
observance of the Dayton provisions relative to the investigation of war crimes.
TRIBUNA
$ L
SARAJEVO, Feb 12 (Hina) - Bosnians and Serbs have reached an
agreement on a Protocol on Cooperation with the International War
Crimes Tribunal. The Protocol's aim is to ensure the continuation
of the peace process and the observance of the Dayton provisions
relative to the investigation of war crimes. #L#
The Protocol was presented Monday at a press conference in
Sarajevo, following a meeting between President Alija Izetbegovic
and US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, who mediated
the Protocol to both sides.
The Protocol banishes all restrictions on the freedom of
movement and confirms that war crimes suspects may be arrested at
any time and extradited to the Hague Tribunal. The Hague Tribunal
is expected to publish the lists of suspects and set rules of
procedure for their arrest and extradition.
"The talks with Presidents Izetbegovic and Milosevic have not
resolved the issue but have clarified it," Holbrooke told
reporters.
"Presidents Izetbegovic and Milosevic have shown they are
prepared to fully implement the peace agreement," he said.
The fact that the Bosnian Government had decided to let the
Hague Tribunal give the final verdict on who is guilty of war
crimes was an important development, he added.
Holbrooke said he had been given assurances by Milosevic that
all political prisoners, particularly those from Sandzak, would be
released. (Sandzak is a region in south-western Serbia with a
predominantly Moslem population.)
Holbrooke also demanded and received guarantees for the safety
of 700 Bosnians who had fled to Serbia when Srebrenica and Zepa
where conquered. A task group would be appointed at the US embassy
in Belgrade to monitor the treatment of these refugees.
US Undersecretary of State for Human Rights, John Shattuck,
would continue his efforts to find out the whereabouts of missing
people who may be held prisoner in hidden Bosnian Serb detention
camps, as the Sarajevo government feared.
Holbrooke confirmed that he and Milosevic had discussed the
fate of Karadzic and Mladic, but would not reveal any details.
"This is the most important issue," he said briefly.
(hina) jn as
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