ICTY: PRESIDENT MERON TO VISIT BELGRADE JULY 24-25

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001738

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR S/WCI - PROSPER/CROCK, EUR - BOGUE, EUR/SCE
- JONES/GREGORIAN, L/EUR - LAHNE, DRI - DAVIS, INR/WCAD -
SPRIGG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6 FIVE YEARS AFTER CLOSURE OF ICTY
TAGS: BK HR NL PHUM PREL SR ICTY
SUBJECT: ICTY: PRESIDENT MERON TO VISIT BELGRADE JULY 24-25



1. (U) Classified by: Clifton M. Johnson, Legal Counselor,
Reason: 1.5(d) and 1.6.


2. (SBU) International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Yugoslavia (ICTY) President Theodor Meron has received and
accepted a formal invitation to visit Belgrade from Serbia
and Montenegro (SAM) Foreign Minister Svilanovic. Meron,s
visit is scheduled for July 24 to 25 and is being pitched by
Svilanovic as a way to promote international justice and
strengthen SAM,s cooperation with the ICTY.


3. (SBU) The visit will, apparently, be given a high profile
with meetings promised with President Marovic, Prime Minister
Zivkovic, and Foreign Minister Svilanovic. Meetings are also
being scheduled with key local judges. Meron will be
accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Larry Johnson, and Vice
President Judge Pocar (Italy).


4. (C) Comment. Meron can be expected to press SAM
authorities vigorously on the need to enhance cooperation
with the Tribunal and to arrest Mladic and other outstanding
war criminals. He is mindful of the need to make these
points while acknowledging important progress by SAM, and
views this visit as an opportunity to build a rapport with
SAM interlocutors that will prove beneficial to both SAM and
the ICTY. He would welcome any additional background or
suggested points to raise during his visit. We believe a
meeting with Ambassador Montgomery and briefing from Embassy
Belgrade would also be very helpful. If Embassy Belgrade
concurs, we would like to fix quickly the date/time for such
a meeting on the front end of the visit to maximize its value
and impact. End comment.
BAILY