The High Representative and EU Special Representative, Valentin Inzko, pledged the OHR’s continuing support in ensuring full cooperation from the authorities in BiH for The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) when he met ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz in Sarajevo today.

At their first meeting since taking office the High Representative Valentin Inzko and EU Special Representative, Valentin Inzko told Chief Prosecutor Brammertz that; “Full BiH co-operation with the ICTY is a priority for this office”. “I am ready to use the powers of my office if needed”, he said.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative underlined that crimes are committed by individual and those individuals must be held responsible. The surrender of Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic to The Hague is a priority. Interagency cooperation aimed at undermining their support networks must continue.

The High Representative and the Chief Prosecutor take note of the adoption of the National War Crimes Strategy by the BiH Council of Ministers in December last year. In light of the number of cases to be tried in Bosnia and Herzegovina “a strong strategy was long overdue”, said the High Representative and EU Special Representative today.

The High Representative stressed that extending the mandate of international judges and prosecutors in the BiH Court, so that they could continue to deal with high profile war crimes cases, would boost public confidence and assure the international community that justice for war crimes in BiH is being served.

The High Representative and the Chief Prosecutor agreed that it was a serious concern that Radovan Stankovic, convicted of running a rape camp in Foca, remains at large two years after his escape from prison. So far not a single person has been held accountable for his escape.

Radovan Stankovic threatened BiH prosecutors and judges from Serbia. “I will visit Belgrade tomorrow for a series of high level meetings and will raise the need for mechanisms that will prevent borders in the region providing a safe-haven for war criminals”, said Inzko today.