Cablegate: Instruction for Icty/Ictr Debate

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DE RUEHC #4416 3410012
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 062354Z DEC 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0000
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY 0000
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY 0000
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0000
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 0000
RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB PRIORITY 0000

UNCLAS STATE 164416

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC ICTY ICTR PREL ZL ZF RW
SUBJECT: INSTRUCTION FOR ICTY/ICTR DEBATE

1. The Department instructs USUN to draw on the following
points for use during the Security Council,s December 10
debate on the Completion Strategies for the International
Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda (ICTY
and ICTR).

2. Begin Points:

The United States welcomes the assessments of the Prosecutors
and Presidents from both Tribunals and their progress to date
on Completion Strategy implementation. The United States
notes with appreciation the efforts of Prosecutor Carla Del
Ponte and her team, particularly Deputy Prosecutor David
Tolbert, in forcefully championing accountability and
effectively managing an efficient and successful
Prosecutor,s office. The arrival of incoming Prosecutor
Serge Brammertz will ensure that this tradition of excellence
continues. We also applaud the judges as well as the
hundreds of staff members who, on a daily basis, dedicate
their energy and skills to the lasting success and legacy of
both these Tribunals.

As the Tribunals move toward closure, they must maintain
their current levels of efficiency. The United States is
encouraged by the current pace of trials and by the
determination of all Tribunal organs to complete trials as
soon after 2008 as is feasible by expediting proceedings, as
outlined in their assessments.

The work of the Tribunals in countering impunity will not be
complete, however, without the resolution of the fate of the
remaining fugitives and the consolidation of each Tribunal,s
legacy.

Nearly twenty fugitives from the ICTY and the ICTR remain
at-large. The United States calls on all States to fulfill
their legal obligations to cooperate fully with the Tribunals.

For the ICTY, Serbia, in particular, must take further steps
to fulfill its obligations, especially through the
apprehension and transfer of all fugitives who may be on
Serbian territory, including Ratko Mladic and Radovan
Karadzic. We welcome the improved cooperation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina,s federal and entity authorities with the ICTY.
We are also encouraged by ongoing efforts of the governments
of the Western Balkans to share information and evidence to
further domestic prosecutions of war crimes cases. We call
on these countries to enhance their cooperation in the
future. As Prosecutor Del Ponte reports, regional
cooperation remains crucial in apprehending and bringing to
justice the remaining fugitives.

Concrete action is also needed from The Democratic Republic
of the Congo and Kenya to apprehend and transfer all ICTR
fugitives within their borders. Evidence continues to mount
that top fugitive and alleged genocide financier, Felicien
Kabuga, remains in Kenya. As Security Council pressure
mounts for the ICTR,s successful completion, Kenya must
fully cooperate with the ICTR in apprehending Kabuga.

The United States welcomes the November 9 Agreement between
the Congolese and Rwandan governments for dismantling the
ex-FAR/Interahamwe forces still active in the eastern DRC.
We have every confidence that any ICTR fugitive captured
during this campaign will be turned over for prosecution.

Mladic, Karadzic, Kabuga, and others are charged with
horrific crimes and it is unthinkable that they would escape
international justice. They must be immediately captured and
prosecuted.

The United States commends the ongoing work of the Tribunals
to ensure a lasting positive legacy. Their promotion of
domestic capacity within the countries of the former
Yugoslavia and Rwanda is central to this legacy. With four
ICTR cases currently pending possible transfer to Rwanda, it
is imperative that Rwanda,s work to improve its judicial
system be supported. An enduring legacy also requires that
each Tribunals, residual issues be addressed meticulously
and pragmatically. The United States will work diligently to
ensure these efforts are successful.

We again thank the Presidents, Prosecutors, and Registrars
for their service to the Tribunals, to justice and
accountability, and to the people who gave rise and purpose
to these institutions ) the victims.

End Points
RICE

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