“There will be no change of policy when it comes to requiring full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY),” said the OHR’s Principal Deputy High Representative and Acting High Representative, Raffi Gregorian today. “Where fugitive indictees can not be found the OHR and other members of the International Community—especially ICTY, NATO, and EUFOR—will continue to act to disrupt the networks that allow them to remain at large,” he added.
In 2003 ‘Operation Balkan Vice’ started international efforts to pressure the networks that support persons indicted for war crimes (PIWFCs). It led to the first extraditions from the Republika Srpska to the ICTY in The Hague . Consultations between the International Community and local partners on what further steps can be taken to disrupt networks of ICTY indictees are now underway.
‘Balkan Vice’ saw co-ordinated action against senior officials such as Dragan Kalinic, Mirko Sarovic, Momcilo Mandic, Milan Ninkovic, Bozidar Vucurevic and Milovan Bjelica. The OHR, in line with the authorities that are accorded to the High Representative, was at the forefront of this effort. “This will not change,” said the PDHR today. “Without full cooperation with the ICTY bans on engagement in public life, visa and asset freezes are unlikely to be lifted any time soon.”
He stressed that the Constitutional Court ’s recent decision has not exonerated former high ranked SDS officials in any way. The Constitutional Court Decision noted explicitly that the High Representative has the authority to issue binding decisions and does not question — nor could it — the fact that the High Representative has the authority to remove individuals who support the networks that enable fugitive PIFWCs to evade justice.
Cooperation with the ICTY remains one of the key outstanding obligations of the Dayton Peace Agreement, of this country’s Constitution and its Laws. It is a fundamental requirement for further integration with NATO and the European Union. A small band of corrupt politicians and obstructionists cannot be allowed to undermine the security and prosperity of the country and its citizens.
PDHR reminded people that the US “Rewards for Justice” program pays up to $5 million to people who provide information that leads to the apprehension of each one of these fugitives, including Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic, and Stojan Zjupljanin. All information is kept confidential.
The speech of the Principal Deputy High Representative can be accessed at www.ohr.int and www.eusrbih.org.