Press Briefing: 19 April 2002

SRSG Michael Steiner/ICTY Special Prosecutor Carla del Ponte

SRSG Michael Steiner:"I'm very happy that Mrs. Del Ponte is here. We had very good discussions. As part of the family of the UN, we would not have any problems whatsoever between us because we are here of course to follow whatever is decided in the Hague. I must tell you also that what is happening in the moment, in the Hague-- this process about Milosevic is followed very closely here and it is giving a good sign to the population that finally justice is taking its course, and I think the people appreciate that this is happening in the court and that they can follow it.

I would like to make clear one point, that there is no nationality when it comes to war crimes. So whoever would be indicted one day, we would follow that and would follow any instructions whatever the nationality. We also support the work of the court in areas of missing persons, exhumations and so on.

One thing I should stress here is that the cooperation works very well between these two institutions and I'm very happy that we have these open talks here and can really come to the same conclusions. These are two institutions UNMIK and ICTY, working for the same goal-- that is finally to establish the rule of law. Thank you for being here.

Ms. Del Ponte: Thank you: It's true that it's particularly important what we are doing together in obtaining and having full cooperation. We discussed this morning many issues and details of investigations and our needs. I must say with Mr .Steiner in all our problems we (can find) the best solutions, to achieve our investigations in time, to issue all our indictments. As you know we established a program of our activity for the office of the Prosecutor in ICTY and we are now maintaining our programs to finish our investigations by 2004. So it's all those things, with UNMIK and the cooperation that we can maintain our tasks.

Questions

Reuters-Madame, how far have you got in investigations for new indictments against former members of the KLA, and other Serbian officials?

Yes as I said, unfortunately I must just confirm I have no new information, but we opened three investigations about suspects of KLA perpetrators. We have in the past a lot of difficulties to achieve to establish the truth of the commission of crimes. And the responsibility. But I hope, I'm sure, that this year we will issue the first indictment. And we hope by the end of the year to complete the other investigations.

DPA: These indictments are not sealed. Will you tell us the name?

Del Ponte: We didn't decide yet whether it is sealed or public so let's wait. And no I don't tell it because as you know each indictment must be confirmed by the judge. So let's wait if we obtain the confirmation, because otherwise there's nothing to published.