Subject: JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE – 19 November 2002
1. The following attended the regular Press Conference held at the CPIC at 11:30 hours on Tuesday 19 November 2002:
| Agency | Spokesperson | Topic |
| a. OHR | Mario Brkic |
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| b. OSCE | Urdur Gunnarsdottir
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| c. UNMIBH | Kirsten Haupt
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| d. UNHCR | Bakir Jalovcic |
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| e. ICTY | Rafik Hodzic |
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| f. SFOR | Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier |
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2. Twenty-six members of the media including one television crews attended the conference.
3. The transcript of the questions and answers is attached.
A. OllivierCol. (FR A),Chief Operations and PlansMario Brkic – OHR
Good morning and welcome to the press conference. There are four points today from the Office of the High Representative.
First, The High Representative Paddy Ashdown will meet today with the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Carla Del Ponte. They will discuss co-operation between Office of the High Representative, Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities and the tribunal. There will be a short photo opportunity, at 12:00, at the Office of the High Representative facilities.
The second topic, on Thursday, the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board, will meet in Brussels on the level of political directors. The Steering Board will receive two major presentations by the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities, one being the reform of the education system in the country and the other being continuance of the economic reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities will present a comprehensive agenda, a road map on how to make the education system fair, professional and non-discriminatory. This road map will represent a commitment by Bosnia and Herzegovina side to reform. The High Representative will say that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future, is its reconciliation and its economy depends on the education of the future generations.
An other announcement is that, the Principle High Representative Donald Hays and Senior Deputy High Representative Ambassador Gerhard Schroembgens, will meet with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency, this afternoon. They will be discussing a wide range of issues including essential economic reforms, the effectiveness of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency and its secretariat, the Bosnia and Herzegovina State budget and the ORAO affair.
Ambassador Schroembgens, will be informing the presidency on the progress made during bilateral meetings with representatives of almost all political parties represented in the Bosnia and Herzegovina House of Representatives and the two meetings held with party leaders on, 6 and 15 November. The Office of the High Representative will issue a press release this afternoon giving more details from this meeting.
And to end just a clarification, I would like to say that, the Office of the High Representative has not asked for any list of suspected former members of the Ministry of Defence. Moreover, military appointments or removals are at the sole discretion Commander SFOR and not the Office of the High Representative. Thank you very much.
Urdur Gunnarsdottir – OSCE
Good morning. I will begin by elaborating a little bit on education that will be discussed in Brussels on Thursday.
The Head of the OSCE Mission Ambassador Robert M. Beecroft and the Deputy Head of Mission Ambassador Henry Zipper de Fabinai, will attend the meeting along with Bosnia and Herzegovina education authorities, entity ministers and deputy minister, Gojko Savanovic, Mujo Demirovic and Dubravko Lovrenovic. They will present an education reform agenda. It is the result of over three months of hard work, which has been co-ordinated by the OSCE, but largely done by local education specialists. It outlines five pledges as well as the action needed to realise those targets.
The first one is to, ensure access to quality education in integrated multicultural schools that are free from political, religious, cultural and other bias and discrimination.
Secondly, providing modern curriculum and a modern system of assessment and certification for students and teachers. Ensuring that students are taught by well-trained teachers, in properly equipped and efficiently managed schools.
Thirdly, developing a modern, broad-based vocational education and training system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is responsive to labour market requirements.
Fourthly, raising the quality of higher education and research in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Increasing the number of people with access to higher education. Ensuring the full participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina universities in the European higher education area.
Lastly, ensuring the transparent, cost –effective and financially sustainable investment of public resources and implement education legislation at all levels that is based on European standards.
Further on an education related issue. The OSCE will be launching an education media award tomorrow, Wednesday, at 17:00 at the writers club. Your media and editors-in-chief have received an invitation to this event, which we encourage, you are all encouraged to cover.
Finally, the OSCE Mission condemns acts of violence and threats directed toward returnees in Zvornik and Konjevic Polje, that have taken place recently. A returnee property in Zvornik has been attacked several times since the beginning of November. Another house, belonging to a returnee in Konjevic Polje, was tarnished by extremely vulgar graffiti.
Incidents like these induce fear on the part of returnees and threaten to destabilise the process of return to certain areas.
We strongly condemn any violence and threats in any form and for whatever reason. We expect the authorities to properly investigate these incidents and to prosecute the perpetrators. We also call on the relevant local authorities to speak out strongly against return related violence and to take all necessary measures to ensure that the human rights of all citizens are respected. Thank you.
Kirsten Haupt – UNMIBH
Good morning. I have three items for you today one is still in connection with the visit of United Nations Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During his visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Secretary General met on 18 November, with representatives of the Citizens Association of the Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa Enclaves, he met them at the United Nations House in Sarajevo.
At the meeting, the Secretary General said that, “all those people who suffered from the tragedy in the Srebrenica region deserved the full support and sympathy of the world.” The group thanked the Secretary General for his continuing attention to the problems facing survivors of the massacre and he urged the international community to increase assistance to the area.
The Secretary General listened to the concerns of the group and assured them of his commitment to the issue. He said that, “he would continue to encourage the international community to maintain its support to survivors of the worst massacre in Europe since the end of World War Two”.
The Secretary General recalled that in the United Nations Srebrenica Report of November 1999, the United Nations had acknowledged the mistakes committed in implementation of the safe area policy.
He noted that that the transfer of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic to ICTY is a responsibility of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities. He said that, “he would continue to press for the transfer of the two men for trial and extend full support to the ICTY Chief Prosecutor in the realisation of this aim.”
The Secretary General said that, “the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina had spent some 1.8 million US Dollars on Srebrenica for the new police station, roads, medical equipment and street lighting. As the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina ends, the development arm of the United Nations will continue to assist the area through the UNDP Srebrenica Regional Recovery Programme,” he said.
There will be a full press release with a full statement on the issue sent out to you as soon as I get back to the office.
In response to recent press reports on the Leutar case, the UNMIBH mission wishes to remind the public that in September 1999, the Federation Government committed itself to establish a reward fund over 1,000,000 KM. This fund was to be used for information leading to the arrest of persons involved in the murder of the former Deputy Federation Interior Minister Jozo Leutar. You recall that a comprehensive public information campaign was designed at the time involving posters, TV and radio spots. Also, two telephone hotlines were established at the Federation Ministry of Interior to gather information from the public.
The second issue is the clarification of, in relation to the reward fund that was established in the Leutar case.
So far, the Federation Government only made available the amount of 500,000 KM. As long as convictions have not been issued by a court, the commitment of the government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards the reward fund has still to be met. The reward fund was established for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the perpetrators of this murder.
As the matter is still in the hands of the judiciary, no further comments will be made by UNMIBH on this issue.
The last issue relates to preparations are currently on track for the next class of police cadets at the Academy in Sarajevo. This will be the last class within the minority recruitment programme of UNMIBH. Testing for this class will start nextTuesday, 26November 2002. A total of 413 candidates have been invited for testing. About 120 candidates, who will have passed this round of testing, will be invited to join this last class that will start on 22 December. So far, 632 cadets have successfully passed the Vraca Police Academy. In my notes you will also find the numbers for the hotline of the UN Selection Unit. Where applicants may get further information in the case they have not been notified on the their application. Thank you.
Bakir Jalovcic – UNHCR
Good morning. No statement from UNHCR today.
Rafik Hodzic – ICTY
Good morning. The same here, no statement from ICTY.
Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I have two points to make today and they both refer to helicopters.
Firstly, SFOR has been aware for a number of years that the VRS had 7 red cross marked helicopters that could be re-equipped into the attack role, which would total 7 more than allowed under the Florence Agreement in the attack role.
This has been tolerated by SFOR, although we would have hoped that the VRS would have taken action to ensure that all 7 red cross marked helicopters were really suitable for casualty evacuation since we last inspected in 2000. However, this issue is of much greater importance now, as Bosnia and Herzegovina is making steps towards Partnership for Peace and greater integration with the European family. The necessity to comply with rules and spirit of international agreements therefore becomes more important to demonstrate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s maturity as well as reflecting the more stable security environment now in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
So, we required the VRS Air Force to firstly formally explain how it has 7 Gazelles, which could be re-equipped for the attack role, yet marked with red crosses but not fully capable of taking stretcher casualties. Secondly, we required the VRS to explain how quickly they intend to deal with these helicopters. This will demonstrate Bosnia and Herzegovina willingness to take one more step towards Partnership for Peace.
We have now received the VRS report, which is being looked into. However we are pleased to see the concern of the VRS to eliminate any doubt that these helicopters could be transformed into attack ones. A reply to the VRS will be given later in the week.
The second helicopter incident involved the VF.
Yesterday morning an SFOR official met with the Federation Air Force Commander to discuss the investigation report into a violation of aviation safety procedures by a Federation Air Force helicopter on Tuesday 12 November.
Review of independently produced video footage and SFOR photography clearly showed the VF Air Force helicopter flying at altitudes between 30 to 300 feet above ground level for significant period of time over Sarajevo. This established that the helicopter ignored the International Civil Aviation Organisation regulation to fly above 1000 feet above ground level over congested areas.
SFOR has reviewed and discussed the details of the investigation with the VF Air Force and as a result it has been determined that the violation was the result of a lack of education and knowledge of International Civil Aviation Organisation rules.
In order to address this situation, VF Air Force flight personnel have been instructed to attend a civil aviation training session tomorrow to ensure a complete understanding of International Civil Aviation Organisation rules and regulations. It is SFOR’s intention to lift the ban on VF Air Force helicopter operations once this training has been successfully completed.
SFOR’s recognition of the VRS issue now and the Federation’s Air Force lack of knowledge of International Civil Aviation Organisation rules are in some ways comparable. As Bosnia and Herzegovina moves closer to Partnership for Peace and Europe, it will be expected that both the rules and spirit of conventions adhered to by NATO, Partnership for Peace, Nations and European Union countries should also be adhered to by Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mario Brkic – OHR
Questions please.
Questions and Answers
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
Yves, there were some serious allegation in the local media yesterday, that Sabahudin Fijuljanin, was in fact linked to an international terrorist group based in Germany, have you found any evidence of that?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I am not going to comment on that subject. Just that Fijuljanin is still being detained because he still poses a threat to SFOR installations and personnel. That is why we will keep him as long as we need too, so as to ascertain the type of threat he poses to SFOR personnel and installations.
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
Do you plan to turn him over to the local authorities at some point?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
With regard to the question of Fijuljanin, it is still up in the air. I am not going to comment, it would be speculation at this time as to what we intend to do with him as our investigation continues into threat he poses to SFOR personnel.
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
Just one little question, these passports that you found in his possession were they empty or were they filled with names?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
They were his passports in his name.
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
How many passports have you found, because we read several how many is that?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
More then two.
Q: Antonio Prelude – Oslobodenje
Yves, about Fijuljanin, are the local police involved in the investigation?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
At this time he is being detained by SFOR. SFOR is the only personnel allowed to speak with Fijuljanin, because at this time it is our investigation.
Q: Antonio Prlenda – Oslobodenje
About the letter from Defence Ministers Anic, to Office of the High Representative and SFOR, did you send any response to this letter?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
We have received the letter a response is in the process of being drafted and the correspondence will be sent back when the General has time to sign it. Once again, correspondence between military officials – is just that – between military officials and we will not make that response public.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
What countries were these passports?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
As per the news release that we issued yesterday.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
So, he had several passports, Bosnian and Yugoslav passports to his name, right?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
From Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
More then two of these two countries?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
Correct.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
Maybe it could have been that some of those passports had expired and he had kept them?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I am not going to go into any of these details. It is still part of our investigation to ascertain…
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
I think this is a very important question?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I know this is an important question. Once again, it is part of our investigation and we are not going to release any specific details as to the evidence that we have at this time.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
Then why do you release pieces of evidence, which do not tell us anything?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
Because, this type of information can be disclosed and not impede the process by which we investigate the threat he poses. Saying anymore then that would prejudice the investigation and we are not going to do that. There has also been an interest by the media in this case and we release as much information as we deem necessary and appropriate.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
Then why are you telling us that he had passports, when you do not want to tell us what kind of passports?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
There has been an interest by the media in this storey and we try to keep you informed as best we can with information that we can disclose. If this information is deemed inappropriate by the media you do not have to use it.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
Now that you have evidence, you have gone public with this evidence. Has, Mr. Fijuljanin had access to his lawyers do they know what he is accused of or what he is suspected of?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
He has had contact with his family, that is what he has had at this time, contact with the family.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
Is anyone taking care of the conditions he is being kept in like human rights organisations or someone else?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
He is being looked after very well, we have respected his human rights. He has had access to food, he has had time to himself, he has not been abused in anyway shape of form, he has been co-operating with us and there has been no complaint lodged against SFOR for the way we have detained him.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
Who says this…SFOR says this?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
Yes.
Q: Viola Gienger – Freelance for Cox Newspapers
I have a question related to the education reform, you mentioned that this reform that is planned to be presented in Brussels. Has been worked on for the last three months by OSCE, is this the same plain that ECTAER was working on for the last year or is this a modified version or is this completely different?
A: Urdur Gunnarsdottir – OSCE
Firstly, the OSCE has only been co-ordinating this there is a large group of people that have been working on preparing this document. Everything that has been done in education for the last six years we have been trying to pull that together to get an overview of what has been done and what needs to be done and incorporate that in this document. So, ECTAER, has been working with us, they have been actively participating in the working groups.
Q: Viola Gienger – Freelance for Cox Newspapers
Part of what will be presented in Brussels includes the ECTAER, results?
A: Urdur Gunnarsdottir – OSCE
Yes, this includes all or more or less all education efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are trying to include everything, what the local authorities are doing, what international organisations are doing, what the non-governmental organisations are doing both local and international everything. There are more then 200 non-governmental organisations and other organisations that are in one way or the other involved in education in this country and we are just trying to co-ordinate this and put this in one place.
Q: Aida Cerkez-Robinson – AP
Yves, what is the legal status of Fijuljanin, he is being held without any charges being raised against him, how long can this go on, it has been quite sometime now. We did not ask in the beginning, but now it is almost three weeks and the man does not have a lawyer. The fact that he communicates with his family is one thing, but he needs legal representation. We do not know what he is charged with; he probably does not know that and what is his legal status how long can this go on, it has been three weeks. You are not even telling us how many passports, what the violation was, he was looking at a NATO facility and he had a rocket grenade or something at home. Is it that you do not want to hand him over to the local authorities, because you do not really have any grounds to present any evidence so proper charges can be raised against this man?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
He is being detained, he has admitted to having surveiled SFOR facility and personnel, he has been caught with a rocket propelled grenade in his house. Ss far as SFOR is concerned we can detain him for as long as we need to ascertain what threat he poses to SFOR personnel.
Q: Aida Cerkez-Robinson – AP
But, that is enough to raise charges then?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
Then final disposition of Fijuljanin is still up in the air. We do not know what we will do later on, because we are continuing our investigation. We are not going to make a statement as to what we intend to do or what ifs, we are not going to do that. We have him…
Q: Aida Cerkez-Robinson – AP
What are your possibilities?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I am not going to speculate as to what we might do with him. We are still investigating the threat he poses to SFOR and we can do that for as long as we need.
Q: Aida Cerkez-Robinson – AP
Do you suspect that he wanted to fire that rocket thing on one of your bases?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I am not going to speculate as to what his intentions were.
Q: Aida Cerkez-Robinson – AP
So, you do not know that?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I am not going to speculate on it.
Q: Aida Cerkez-Robinson – AP
So, it is all speculation. We just need more information of why this guy is being held, I am not saying let him go, just tell us?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
The reason was he posed a threat to SFOR personnel and instillation. That is sufficient for us to detain him for as long as we need too, to investigate the threat he poses to our personnel and instillation, that is sufficient for us.
Q: Aida Cerkez-Robinson – AP
There is no time limit for that?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
No.
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
Yves, where is this guy originally from, I read somewhere that he is from Sandzk, Yugoslavia, is that true?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
Personal information, once again, is part of an investigation and we are not going to release any details to that effect.
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
Then why did you write in your press release yesterday, that his Bosnian citizenship was questionable, what is the reason for that?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
Because, when you have more then two passports that raises certain concerns as to where you are from. It is not normal to have more then two passports from various nations and the investigation has proven to date that we cannot pinpoint where he is from, what his true nationality is. That is why we are going to keep him detained until we ascertain where he is from and that is part of the investigation.
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
I am sure there has to be the name of the place where he was born in one of those passports it should not be so difficult to determine his place of origin?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
The part of the investigation we are looking at is to go through all the documentation, speaking with him and trying to find out where he is actually from. That is part of the investigation and that has lasted for three weeks and is going to continue for more days, more weeks we just do not know.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
This guy’s name might not be, Fijuljanin after all he might be someone else altogether?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
Once again, the passports were in that name and he goes by that name. We might find out otherwise.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
Did you try contacting local police for their files on databases and passports issued, like everyone else here I have changed three passports in the last couple years. Could it have been that he did not return one of those invalid passports. Are you contacting the police on this matter to establish his identity and the origin of the passports?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I am not conducting the investigation myself it is being done by people in Tuzla. The indications are he has more then two passports from various nations, he was seen surveying SFOR personnel, he had a rocket propelled grenade launcher in his house that is sufficient for us to detain him for as long as we need to.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
I am not asking why you detained him. I am just asking did you check with police about the origin of these passports and his true identity are you sure that this guy’s name is Sabahudin Fijuljanin?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I will not discuss how we conduct our investigations. We have very professional individuals that do that and have techniques by which they do that and they will continue their work as appropriate.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
I am sure they would, but did you contact the police about the passports?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
That is part of an investigation that and I am not going to reveal what we have done to date or what we have done in the past and what we intend to do. That is part of the investigation and we do not comment on investigations that are on going.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
You do you have just said he had passports that is a comment?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
That was released publicly through a press statement. We could do otherwise and not say a single word.
Q: Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters
You can?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
We could.
Q: Zdravko Ljubas – DPA
Besides giving this guy food and the opportunity to contact his family is he given the opportunity to contact any legal personnel like his lawyer and do you think this will harm your harvest operations. Basically you can detain anyone who has a strange weapon at home?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
We do not detain anyone unless we have proof that they pose a threat to SFOR. We have done detentions in the past and we have released people very soon afterwards because we were able to ascertain they did not pose a threat to SFOR. In this case this man posed a threat to SFOR and we will keep him detained. This operation is not directed towards other citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are talking about one individual.
Q: Zdravko Ljubas – DPA
Has he been given the opportunity to call a lawyer?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I do not know if he has asked to speak to a lawyer or not. I do not have those details.
Q: Zdravko Ljubas – DPA
As SFOR do you allow him to contact a lawyer?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I do not know if he has asked.
Q: Zdravko Ljubas – DPA
If he asks?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
If he asks we will deal with that at the time.
Q: Erich Rathfelder – Die Tageszeitung
Is this representing military rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina in question to the Office of the High Representative, how do you consider this case what is the legal basis of SFOR action?
A: Mario Brkic – OHR
This is SFOR’s mandate and we are definitely not going to comment on it.
Q: Erich Rathfelder – Die Tageszeitung
But, this does not answer the question?
A: Mario Brkic – OHR
That is my answer to your question.
Q: Antonio Prlenda – Oslobodenje
Yves, as I understood you said Fijuljanin admitted he surveyed your personnel and facilities?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
Yes.
Q: Antonio Prlenda – Oslobodenje
Did he say the reason why he did this?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I do know if he did or not. I am privileged to that information.
Q: Antonio Prlenda – Oslobodenje
Can you find it for us, because I believe what he said about why he did this is very relevant. The guy could be an aviation enthusiast or something, for whatever reason maybe it’s his hobby?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
You do not conduct surveillance operations of SFOR facilities and personnel, have multiple passports, have a rocket propelled grenade in your house as a hobby. People do not do that as a hobby.
Q: Antonio Prlenda – Oslobodenje
If I try hard maybe I can show the people that do those things and are still good citizens?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
SFOR has every right under the General Framework Agreement for Peace to detain Fijuljanin for as long as it feels necessary and we will do just that, to ensure the safety of our personnel in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We do not go around detaining normal citizens; we detain people who pose a threat to SFOR. We did that three ago and he will remain in SFOR detention until ascertaining the threat that he poses to SFOR if that takes weeks it will take weeks, if it takes months it will take months. We just do not know and I am not going to speculate as to when we will bring closure to this, but this posed a serious threat SFOR and we are dealing with it accordingly. As given to us permission to that on the General Framework Agreement for Peace Annex 1a. we have the right to do so and we will do so.
Q: Sabina Arslangic – AFP
When you found all these passports did anyone look at the place of birth in all of these passports where they the same or did he have several places of birth?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
That is part of the investigation that I am not going the reveal any details. Revealing details bit by bit would prejudice the investigation. This man posed a serious threat, I do not know what more we have to say, this guy posed a threat to SFOR.
Q: Sabina Arslangic – AFP
Much more?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
We have the authority to detain him and will do so.
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
Yves, we do not want to give you a hard time, but this is really a rather interesting subject. I just want to know how is this guy’s status different if at all from the status of those men held in Guantanamo Bay for example. Because they also do not have rights to legal representation, so you are telling us this guy did not ask for a lawyer, which is very hard to believe, so does he have the right to legal representation or not?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I personally do not know if he has asked for legal representation. If he were to ask for it we would deal with it. But, I personally do not know if he has asked to see a lawyer or not.
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
Did you suggest to him that he should have a lawyer?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
Not personally, I am not involved in it.
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
Not you personally, but SFOR?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I do not know.
Q: Merdijana Sadovic – ABC
You do not know?
A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR
I do not know.