Hague expects “several elements of cooperation”

Hague Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz says that he expects several elements of cooperation from Serbia. “The prosecution wants to remind everyone that cooperation involves several elements: making documents, archives and witnesses available; and, of course, searching for the remaining fugitives. Simplification, that sometimes occurs, should be avoided,” the Hague prosecution’s spokeswoman Olga Kavran said at a regular briefing in the Dutch capital. Hague expects “several elements of cooperation” Kavran said that Brammertz “plans on visiting Serbia as soon as possible,” but that the exact date had yet to be confirmed. She said that it was wrong to assume that the chief prosecutor would have to present a new report on Serbia’s cooperation progress after the visit. “I will repeat that the prosecutor said earlier that he would not publish a new assessment until something officially occurs with cooperation,” the spokeswoman said, adding that until then, the final report of former Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte would remain in force. Del Ponte stated that Serbia’s cooperation was not complete because four suspects still remained at large, including the most important fugitive, Ratko Mladic. “If there is evidence that should warrant a different appraisal from Del Ponte’s, Brammertz will announce it,” Kavran assured. Brammertz is expected to submit his first report in written form to the United Nations Security Council in mid-May, and then in person in New York in June. Kavran confirmed that Brammertz was in regular contact with European officials regarding Serbia’s cooperation, as well as that of other countries in the region. Asked whether the prosecution would be appealing the acquittal of Ramush Haradinaj, she said that the prosecution was still reviewing the case, and would make its decision to appeal if there was a likely chance of success.

Hague expects “several elements of cooperation”

Kavran said that Brammertz “plans on visiting Serbia as soon as possible,” but that the exact date had yet to be confirmed.

She said that it was wrong to assume that the chief prosecutor would have to present a new report on Serbia’s cooperation progress after the visit.

“I will repeat that the prosecutor said earlier that he would not publish a new assessment until something officially occurs with cooperation,” the spokeswoman said, adding that until then, the final report of former Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte would remain in force.

Del Ponte stated that Serbia’s cooperation was not complete because four suspects still remained at large, including the most important fugitive, Ratko Mladić.

“If there is evidence that should warrant a different appraisal from Del Ponte’s, Brammertz will announce it,” Kavran assured.

Brammertz is expected to submit his first report in written form to the United Nations Security Council in mid-May, and then in person in New York in June.

Kavran confirmed that Brammertz was in regular contact with European officials regarding Serbia’s cooperation, as well as that of other countries in the region.

Asked whether the prosecution would be appealing the acquittal of Ramush Haradinaj, she said that the prosecution was still reviewing the case, and would make its decision to appeal if there was a likely chance of success.