After Gotovina has been transferred to The Hague, we know that it can be done when there is willingness to do it, he told the press. Gotovina was arrested in Spain last week after more than four years on the run.
Ashdown said this year's surrender of 11 indictees, who were brought to the tribunal's detention unit through the mediation of the authorities in Banja Luka or Belgrade, was primarily due to stronger pressure by the international community, which he added would continue.
Gotovina's arrest only strengthens pressure on Banja Luka to finish this job as soon as possible, said Ashdown.
He cautioned that unless progress was made in arresting the remaining war crimes fugitives, a painful period would come for those responsible for that.
The Briton said the final evaluation of whether Banja Luka was sufficiently cooperating with the Hague tribunal would be made by chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte.