Brammertz: Fugitives within reach

Chief Hague Prosecutor Serge Brammertz’s report, which is on its way to the UN, states that the remaining fugitives are “within Serbia’s reach” B92 understands. At the same time, Brammertz notes that “Serbia continues to improve“ it cooperation with the Prosecution. Brammertz: Fugitives within reach B92 understands from sources close to the Tribunal that the tone of Brammertz’s latest report is not as positive as the previous one. Although he states that Belgrade’s cooperation is getting better, Brammertz adopts Carla Del Ponte’s formulation, stating that Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic are “within reach“ of the Belgrade authorities. However, the prosecutor adds that he is familiar with the “complex and comprehensive search“ that is being carried out in a professionally higher level than before. Brammertz confirms that Serbia has achieved almost full cooperation with the Tribunal in terms of exchange of documents from state archives and protection of Hague witness, special credit for which goes to the National Council for Cooperation with the Hague. His report concludes with his assessment that negative and, he says, “unsubstantiated“ statements that criticize the court’s work do not help establish a positive atmosphere and can have negative repercussions for Serbia’ cooperation with the Tribunal. This issue was raised following criticism by Serbian officials of the Hague appeal court's decision to treble Veselin Sljivancanin's sentence. National Council President Rasim Ljajic dismissed Brammertz's admonition, stating that, like any other government, Serbia was entitled to dicuss any aspects of the court's work that it considered problematic. Serge Brammertz (FoNet, archive)

Brammertz: Fugitives within reach

B92 understands from sources close to the Tribunal that the tone of Brammertz’s latest report is not as positive as the previous one.

Although he states that Belgrade’s cooperation is getting better, Brammertz adopts Carla Del Ponte’s formulation, stating that Ratko Mladić and Goran Hadžić are “within reach“ of the Belgrade authorities.

However, the prosecutor adds that he is familiar with the “complex and comprehensive search“ that is being carried out in a professionally higher level than before.

Brammertz confirms that Serbia has achieved almost full cooperation with the Tribunal in terms of exchange of documents from state archives and protection of Hague witness, special credit for which goes to the National Council for Cooperation with the Hague.

His report concludes with his assessment that negative and, he says, “unsubstantiated“ statements that criticize the court’s work do not help establish a positive atmosphere and can have negative repercussions for Serbia’ cooperation with the Tribunal.

This issue was raised following criticism by Serbian officials of the Hague appeal court's decision to treble Veselin Šljivančanin's sentence.

National Council President Rasim Ljajić dismissed Brammertz's admonition, stating that, like any other government, Serbia was entitled to dicuss any aspects of the court's work that it considered problematic.