$ E DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, Oct 3 (Hina) - The United States hold that all signatories to the Dayton Agreement are obliged to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and Washington supports
trials within three to five months to those who surrender. It leaves all possibilities open for those who were indicted by ICTY to be brought before the face of justice, the US State Department said in a statement on Thursday.
- STAT
$ E DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, Oct 3 (Hina) - The United States hold that all
signatories to the Dayton Agreement are obliged to cooperate with
the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
(ICTY), and Washington supports trials within three to five
months to those who surrender. It leaves all possibilities open
for those who were indicted by ICTY to be brought before the face
of justice, the US State Department said in a statement on
Thursday. #L#
By signing the Dayton Agreement, responsible authorities in
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and FR Yugoslavia had committed
themselves to full cooperation with ICTY, the statement said,
adding that these commitments included the obligation for all
persons indicted by ICTY to make themselves available for trial.
Belgrade and Pale especially had not fulfilled their
obligations to cooperate with the Tribunal. Without true progress
in the issue, FRY, for example, could not expect to join the
international community, the State Department said.
The State Department hailed the reiterated confirmation of
Croatian President Tudjman, given in Split in August, that he
would do everything in his power to ensure the urgent deferral or
voluntary surrender of all indicted Croats currently at large, to
ICTY.
The Tribunal acted exclusively in line with its statute and
regulations, which ensure a fair and public trial for all
defendants, at which they would be held innocent until proven
guilty, and were guaranteed all rights. The ICTY Prosecutor's
Office was prepared to begin trial for all persons indicted who
surrender voluntarily in three to five months at the latest.
The American government guaranteed all its support and
pledged to make every effort to reinforce the Tribunal's
resources which would enable a quick trial for all indicted,
especially for those who surrendered voluntarily, the statement
said.
Indicted persons who were still at large, including
Karadzic, Mladic and Martic, continued to oppose the will of the
international community by refusing to hand themselves to the
authority of ICTY.
This was unacceptable, the State Department said, adding
that in case these indicted persons chose not to surrender and
the regional authorities chose not to cooperate fully, the United
States would continue to commit itself to leaving all
possibilities open so indicted persons could make themselves
available for trial before ICTY.
(hina) lm
031029 MET oct 97