Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USUNNEWYORK1176
2008-12-16 23:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:  

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNALS OFFICIALS ADDRESS

Tags:  KJUS UNSC ICTY ICTR PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #1176 3512344
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 162344Z DEC 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5538
INFO RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 0315
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 9084
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001176 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS UNSC ICTY ICTR PREL
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNALS OFFICIALS ADDRESS
SECURITY COUNCIL

REF: A. REF A STATE 129977

B. REF B STATE 130271

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001176

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS UNSC ICTY ICTR PREL
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNALS OFFICIALS ADDRESS
SECURITY COUNCIL

REF: A. REF A STATE 129977

B. REF B STATE 130271


1. Summary. The Presidents and Prosecutors of the
International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and
Rwanda (ICTR) reported to the UN Security Council progress
made on prosecutions and administrative matters. Tribunal
officials focused on efforts to move forward on the strategy
for completion of their work and development of plans for
dealing with residual issues after the end of the Tribunals'
mandate. Prosecutors called for assistance from member
states in bringing the remaining fugitives to justice. The
Council adopted a resolution (SC RES 1849 (2008)) which
permits a temporary increase in the number of ad litem judges
at the ICTY. (speeches faxed to S/WCI). End Summary.


2. Newly elected Yugoslav Tribunal President Patrick
Robinson (Jamaica) gave his first report to the Council.
Judge Robinson described the status of cases and steps the
court has taken to expedite cases and streamline proceedings.
He also discussed referral of cases to national
jurisdictions, including ten to Bosnia, two to Croatia and
one to Serbia. Robinson referred to the visit of Council
experts to the Tribunal and the interaction between them and
the judges in dealing with "legacy" issues that will survive
the windup of the Tribunals, such as the disposition of
archives. Judge Byron of the ICTR discussed the use of ad
litem judges in order to achieve the goals of the completion
strategy. "Business as usual is not an option," he said.


3. The Tribunal Prosecutors, Serge Brammertz (ICTY) and
Hassan Jallow (ICTR) also focused on implementation of the
Tribunal's completion strategy. Brammertz reported that the
ICTY is currently prosecuting 26 individuals in seven trials
and that two fugitives remain at large - Ratko Mladic and
Goran Hadzic. He said that their arrest remains the highest
priority and to fulfill the mandate of the Tribunal, they
must be arrested and brought to trial as soon as possible.
Brammertz noted that he remains concerned about problems of
witness interference and intimidation. He said that Croatia
has responded to most requests for assistance but the
Tribunal continues to seek access to key documents and
archives in the Gotovina case. Serbia's co-operation has, he
said, significantly improved.


4. In a scolding tone, however, the UK criticized Croatia
saying that although the UK applauds the apprehension of
Gotovina, it regrets that Croatia has not provided requested
documents to the Tribunal. They said that, cooperation with
the Tribunal is not only mandated by the Council under its
Chapter VII resolutions, but is also a key condition for all
countries of the Western Balkans for their successful
integration into the European Union. The Croats, current SC
President, responded that Croatia remains committed to full
and unequivocal co-operation with the ICTY. The Croatian
government has delivered over 2,000 documents. He said that
intense co-operation does exist and will continue.


5. Most other Council members made positive remarks about
the Tribunals and their co-operation with the completion
strategy. The French said that everything must be done to
close the Tribunals' operations but this must be done in the
context of management of their legacy so that there will be
no impunity for criminals at large. (The full transcript of
the meeting can be found in S/PV.6041)


6. ICTR Prosecutor Jallow noted significant developments at
that Tribunal, including the recent conclusion of all the
multi-accused cases, except one (Karemera). He complained,
however, that there is no indication of any steps taken by
the Government of Kenya - other than an earlier seizure of
property - to implement recommendations in respect of
Felicien Kabuga. The Kenyans responded that "should Mr.
Kabuga ever be found on Kenyan soil, he will likewise be
apprehended and surrendered to the Tribunal." They added
that the search for Kabuga should be expanded to other areas
where he may be living comfortably.
Khalilzad