OHR
Schwarz-Schilling in
The High Representative and EU Special Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling is in
Mr Schwarz-Schilling is currently attending the party conference of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the party of which he is a member, in
This evening, the High Representative and EU Special Representative will be participating in a meeting of the CDU’s foreign relations task force in
Tomorrow morning, together with Joachim Rucker, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Kosovo, he will addressing the Foreign Relations Committee of the Bundestag on the current situation in the Balkans.
In his address, the High Representative and EU Special Representative will be outlining the key themes for next week’s PIC meeting that will be taking place in
PIC Meeting
The next meeting of the Peace Implementation Council will take place in
All the leaders of political parties represented in the new BiH House of Representatives have been invited to attend, together with the current Prime Minister, Adnan Terzic.
In many countries it often takes time to form coalitions. However, the situation does not remain static; it is in the leaders’ interest therefore to put in place a functioning and effective government as soon as possible.
Clearly some of these leaders will be working directly with the PIC so developing a good working relationship is important.
This is also the last meeting of the PIC before February when the PIC will review its decision to close the OHR in June 2007. The PIC will be seeking indications of political readiness from leaders to push ahead with reform across the board.
EUFOR
Harvesting a Safer Future
Following the assistance of the BiH public, further unlicensed weapons have been removed from local communities this week for safe disposal. Recovered as part of the Harvest Campaign in the towns of Sokolac and Vogoska, run jointly by the Civil Protection Agency, Local Police and EUFOR, 41 small-caliber weapons, 394 hand grenades and 42,000 rounds of ammunition have been safely disposed of during a four day period.
Recent weeks have demonstrated to all of us the terrible and tragic consequences these materials can reap in local communities when they are found by children. From the 29th of November to the 2nd of December, BiH authorities in conjunction with the Local Police and EUFOR, will conduct further harvest operations in the towns of Ilidza and Bileca. We invite all citizens to offer us their assistance in removing these life-threatening hazards from their communities. EUFOR personnel will operate collection points and call on local homes in these towns to collect surplus un-licenced weapons and munitions.
EUFOR welcome the trust and support of the individuals that assist the local authorities in this matter and recognize such actions reflect the growing confidence citizens place in the safe and secure environment. Anyone with information on the location of un-licensed weapons or munitions should notify their local police or the Civilian Protection Agency.
ICTY
Good morning on behalf of the ICTY.
This morning the ICTY Appeals Chamber confirmed that Blagoje Simić was criminally responsible for persecution of non-Serb civilians committed in Bosanski Šamac in 1992 and 1993. Simić was president of the Municipal Assembly and the Crisis Staff in Bosanski Šamac.
The Appeals Chamber sentenced Simić for aiding and abetting persecution in the form of the unlawful arrests and detention of non-Serb civilians, confinement of non-Serb prisoners in inhumane conditions, forced labour by Bosnian Croats and Bosnian Muslims, and forced displacement of non-Serb civilians.
With a dissent by one of the judges, the Appeals Chamber reduced Simic’s sentence from 17 years to 15 years after it had adopted several counts of the Defence appeal.
The Appeals Chamber cancelled finding that Simić was a participant in the joint criminal enterprise, because it argued that due to formal neglects of the indictment the trial against appellant would be unfair from the reason that only in the end of the Prosecution case Simic was informed that he was charged with participation in the joint criminal enterprise.
The Appeals Chamber also set aside Simić’s conviction for persecution for cruel and inhumane treatment including beatings and torture.
The Appeals Chamber adopted these findings by majority, with two judges dissenting.
It this case it was established that on
I have here copies of the press releases regarding this judgment as well as the summary of Appeals judgment read by the presiding judge in the courtroom.
For all of you who are interested in we can provide by e-mail the photographs of Blagoje Simić from today’s pronouncing of judgement.
I also have copies of the recent press releases regarding dismissal of the prosecution’s request for the review of appeals judgement in the case of Tihomir Blaškić and press releases regarding assignment of a defence counsel to Vojislav Šešelj.
Once again I remind you that the Appeals Chamber judgement in the case against Stanislav Galić will be rendered on Thursday at 16:00.
This is all from me for today. Thanks for your attention.