Statement
by
Mr. Ivan Nimac
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republiuc of Croatia to the United Nations
Security Council
International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons
Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law
Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991
13 June 2005
Mr. President
Allow me first to commend the ICTY President, Judge Theodore Meron and the Chief Prosecutor Mrs. Carla Del Ponte, for their dedication and distinguished service, and to thank them for their detailed reports on the activities of the Tribunal over the past period.
As one of the leading advocates of the foundation of the ICTY, Croatia has a strong interest in the success of the Tribunal''''s mandate and the flawless performance of its functions. We are convinced of the Tribunal''''s important role in facilitating stability and reconciliation in South East Europe, and therefore, Croatia urges the international community to do its outmost to ensure that the ICTY continues to serve in support of the Euro-Atlantic prospects of the countries in the region.
Mr. President
Croatia recognizes, confirms and demonstrates the necessity of full cooperation with the Tribunal, both in terms of ensuring the success of the Tribunal''''s mandate and our international obligations. Croatia is cooperating fully with the Tribunal in accordance with its Constitutional Law on Cooperation with ICTY, confirming our commitment to facilitate the ICTY mission in the best way. Furthermore, and most importantly, full cooperation with ICTY is a priority of the Croatian Government because of the positive effects of the Tribunal''''s work on security and reconciliation in South East Europe and our strong commitment to the rule of law.
In order to close the last remaining issue in cooperation with the ICTY, the Croatian Government has designed and begun implementing its Action Plan, presented to the EU Task Force at the end of April. Croatia is convinced that the implementation of the Action Plan will be conducive to an assessment of full cooperation. We are pleased that in her report the Chief Prosecutor confirms our commitment to continue with the vigorous implementation of the Action Plan.
As regards other aspects of the report, Croatia takes note of the efforts by the ICTY to meet the goals set out in Security Council resolutions 1503 and 1534. In order to facilitate the exit strategy in line with the dynamics envisaged by the Office of the Prosecutor, Croatia has put in place capabilities to take over cases that "in accordance with the UN SC Res. 1503 and 1504 cannot be tried in The Hague". An important measure to that effect is the designation of four special courts for war crimes proceedings. In order to ensure sufficient transparency, Croatia has accepted the OSCE monitoring of war crime trials before its national courts.
As a further measure of support, Croatia''''s State Attorney has established a fruitful working relationship and cooperation with the Office of the Prosecutor. To foster cross-border cooperation in trials of war crimes, Croatia has signed an agreement with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia-Montenegro on cooperation in war crimes proceedings and in combating organized crime. We are pleased to note that efforts to harmonize legislation relevant to war crimes in the countries of the region are also underway.
Mr. President
Croatia reiterates the importance of ICTY in the context of post-conflict reconciliation and stabilization in South East Europe. We reconfirm our determination to support the work of ICTY and cooperate fully, so that its mandate is successfully completed. In this regard, the Croatian Government would like to reassure the Council of its determination to continue building a constructive and trustful partnership with the ICTY Prosecution, and the Tribunal as a whole.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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