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Press Release . Communiqué de presse
(Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document)
The Hague, 19 December 2002
CC/ P.I.S/ 719e
SECURITY COUNCIL STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF STATES’ FULL COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNALS
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) welcomes the statement issued on 18 December by the President of the United Nations Security Council stressing the importance it attaches to the full cooperation by all States, "particularly those directly concerned", with the International Tribunals, including the ICTY.
The Presidential Statement, read by Mr. Alfonso Valdivieso (Colombia) refers to, among others, the letter sent on 23 October 2002 to the Security Council by the ICTY President, Judge Claude Jorda, in which he reported "the continued non-cooperation by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" (see Press Release 706 e/706 f).
Recalling the mandatory obligations of all States, including the Governments of Rwanda and Yugoslavia, the Security Council stated that "the dialogue or lack of dialogue [between the Tribunals and the Governments concerned] must not be used by States as an excuse for failure to discharge their obligations to cooperate fully with the Tribunals".
The Presidential Statement further reads as follows:
"The Security Council reaffirms its support for the ICTR and ICTY (the Tribunals), impartial and independent bodies, which contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security and to bringing justice and reconciliation to the people of the countries concerned.
"The Security Council recalls the mandatory obligation of all States, including the Governments of Rwanda and Yugoslavia, under resolutions 955 (1994) and 827 (1993) and the Statutes of the Tribunals, to cooperate fully with the Tribunals and their organs, including the duty to comply with the requests by the Tribunals for the arrest or detention of indictees and their surrender or
transfer to the Tribunals, to make witnesses available to the Tribunals, and to assist with the Tribunals' ongoing investigations.
"The Security Council stresses the importance it attaches to the full cooperation by all States, particularly those directly concerned, with the Tribunals.
"The Security Council also stresses the importance of constructive dialogue between the Tribunals and the Governments concerned to resolve any outstanding issues affecting the work of the Tribunals that arise in the course of their cooperation, but insists that such dialogue or lack of dialogue must not be used by States as an excuse for failure to discharge their obligations to
cooperate fully with the Tribunals as required by Security Council resolutions and the Statutes of the Tribunals.
"The Security Council will remain seized of the matter."
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