UN Secretary-General urges arrest of fugitives

The Hague, February 02 (Source: B929 - During his visit to the Hague Tribunal, Ban Ki-Moon said Karadžić and Mladić should face justice.

After talking to the judges, prosecutors and representatives of the Registry, the UN Secretary-General urged those the most responsible to make sure Karadžić and Mladić be tried in the Hague.

At a short press briefing at the end of his visit, the Secretary-General expressed his "deepest appreciation and respect for what the judges and prosecutors have been doing and will be doing to have the rule of law principle firmly established' and to bring “an end to impunity to war criminals”.

Asked whether the UN would make it possible for Karadžić and Mladić to be tried if they are arrested after end of Tribunal’s mandate, Ban Ki-Moon urged those who are the most responsible to make sure the two accused face trial.

He added it was "in their interest and in the interest of global peace and stability."

In his talks with President Pocar, the Secretary-General said he had sensed a certain frustration over a perceived inability to complete the ICTY mandate because of non-cooperation and non-availability of the accused.

In his opinion, this “is a matter to be closely coordinated and consulted with the members of the Security Council”. Ban Ki-moon expressed his hope that the judges and the prosecutors of the Tribunal would be able to complete their task.

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