SERBIAN WAR CRIMINALS KARADZIC AND MLADIC MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (March 10, 2008) - The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz stated in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo that international community and countries in the region must do everything in order to capture Serbian war criminals and fugitives Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic.

"It is difficult to imagine for the Tribunal to be closed and for those persons to be left free and not prosecuted for their crimes”, stated Brammertz after the meeting with the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia Miroslav Lajcak.

He added that the purpose of his first visit to Bosnia since he took over the duty is to assess the cooperation of the government with the ICTY. He pointed out that this cooperation must be continued, especially when it comes to search for fugitives and breaking up the network of their helpers.

Within his visit to Bosnia, Brammertz had a number of meetings with Bosnian state officials who expressed their readiness for cooperation and full support to the Tribunal.

He mentioned that he met with police and state prosecution representatives who are important partners in serving justice to these individuals.

"State prosecutor is doing difficult job and he is making progress and we gave him our support”, added Brammertz.

Brammertz also had meetings with associations of victims for which he stated that they represent the main reason why Tribunal still exists. He stated that for the respect for them and the genocide victims everything should be done in order for the Serbian war criminals to be finally brought to justice.

High Representative Miroslav Lajcak at the meeting gave his full support to the work of the Hague Tribunal, adding that this cooperation is a priority in his work and that this is a important precondition for the progress of Bosnia.

He informed Brammertz on current political situation in Bosnia, after the recent session of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) and about challenges that await Bosnia on its road towards the EU membership.
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