Govor Predsjednika Vlade Republike Hrvatske dr. Ive Sanadera na raspravi Vijeca sigurnosti UN-a na o Medunarodnim kaznenim sudovima za bivšu Jugoslaviju i Ruandu.
Mr. President, Excellencies, Your Honors,
Allow me to begin by welcoming President Robinson and President Byron, as well as Prosecutors Brammertz and Jallow.
After carefully listening to their reports, I want to reaffirm, once more, Croatia's firm commitment to continue with the implementation of our Constitution Law on full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
I want to stress the importance that I personally, as well as my Government and all Croatian institutions, attach to the work of this Tribunal and the necessity to achieve the goals for which it was established by this Council.
Not only as a member of the Security Council, but also as one of the strongest proponents of the establishment of the ICTY, Croatia will continue to insist and fully support the fulfillment of the Tribunal's mandate for prosecuting those responsible for war crimes.
Indeed, the Tribunal is set to be the key force in a process which respects the victims by providing justice. A process which by providing justice paves the way for a better future - a future of peace, security, cooperation and prosperity.
Mr. President,
Croatia has gone a long way in that regard. Along this path, we have never forgotten our starting point. We still remember Ovcara and also the other 142 mass graves across our country. We still have vivid memories of the complete destruction of Vukovar, the shelling of Dubrovnik, Osijek, Zadar, Gospic, and so many other cities and towns in Croatia.
We regret that some perpetrators of these crimes are still at large. We regret that Goran Hadžic has not yet been turned over to The Hague. We certainly regret that Ratko Mladic is still at large. He and Hadžic are responsible for the gravest crimes committed in Europe after World War II, namely the massacres in Srebrenica and Vukovar.
Mostly we regret that Miloševic's indictment came too late and ended without a sentence. His death made it impossible for this sentence to clearly outline the development of a policy that used aggression and the systematic application of war crimes.
Yet, Mr. President, our regret has not prevented us to look towards the future and rebuild our country on the premises of the respect of human dignity, the rule of law, and international justice.
In Croatia, we made the choice to strengthen our democratic institutions, reform our judiciary, and develop a state where nobody is above the law.
With this belief, and with our commitment to fundamental democratic values, we succeeded in putting Croatia on the track of development, reconciliation and progress. We also strengthened our society internally, and we strengthened our position in the world. We joined NATO and became a full member of the Euro-Atlantic family of democracies. One of the conditions to achieve that goal was full cooperation with the ICTY.
Mr. President,
We are glad that in his report the Prosecutor confirmed Croatia's overall good cooperation with the ICTY. With regard to a single case of delivery of documents, Croatia differs with the Prosecutor's assessment.
While fully cooperating with his Office, we also note that, according to the ICTY Rules of Procedure, the Prosecutor is a party during the judicial proceedings.
It is for this reason that, pursuant to the Rules of Procedure of the ICTY, Croatia has submitted to the Trial Chamber a request to confirm the fulfillment of Croatia's obligations in providing the requested documents or establishing their chain of custody.
In the meantime, Croatia will continue to fully cooperate with the Prosecutor's Office.
Croatia will continue to support the Tribunal in the belief that the ICTY is serving the purpose for which it was established by the Security Council.
As a member of the Security Council, and as a member of NATO and a future member of the European Union, Croatia will actively support the achievement of these goals, fully aware that they will be the measure to define the Tribunal's legacy.
Croatia very much appreciates and supports President Robinson's and the Tribunal's efforts to ensure early and orderly completion of its work. The Tribunal has now entered a critical period where it will be necessary to begin to downsize while continuing to work on the remaining cases and transition towards an appropriate infrastructure that will take up the Tribunal's residual functions in the future.
Finally, Mr. President, my message from this floor is clear and straightforward – everybody, everywhere should have no doubt that any and all crimes against humanity will not be allowed to go unpunished. This is our common responsibility. Only then can we create a better world for our posterity.
Thank you.
Priopćenja
