Page 80
1 Wednesday, 16 May 2007
2 [Status conference]
3 [Open session]
4 --- Upon commencing at 3.00 p.m.
5 JUDGE THELIN: Good afternoon.
6 Could we have the case called, please.
7 THE REGISTRAR: Your Honours, this is case number IT-04-79-PT, The
8 Prosecutor versus Mico Stanisic.
9 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you. And for the record, the representation.
10 Prosecution.
11 MR. TIEGER: Good afternoon, Your Honour. Alan Tieger, Anna
12 Richterova, and Karen Bose appearing for the Prosecution, with case
13 manager Wilhelmus Wijermars.
14 JUDGE THELIN: And for the Defence?
15 MR. BEZBRADICA: Good afternoon, Your Honour, Stevo Bezbradica,
16 counsel for the accused, Mr. Mico Stanisic, and my co-counsel, Mr.
17 Slobodan Cvijetic. Thank you.
18 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you, Mr. Bezbradica.
19 Well, we know your client is on provisional release, and I take it
20 he is aware of this status conference.
21 Do you have anything to report in that context?
22 MR. BEZBRADICA: No, Your Honour. He is aware of everything.
23 Thank you.
24 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you. The last time we had a status
25 conference was towards the end of January, and we then had the prospect of
Page 81
1 having, according to the work plan, the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief filed
2 and the Defence Pre-Trial Brief filed. We had at that time one
3 outstanding issue, and that was a motion for adjudicated facts which was
4 filed, I think, in August 2006.
5 So I would say at that time things were looking fairly bright when
6 it came to bringing this case to an end, as far as the pre-trial phase is
7 concerned. And since then, we have indeed had the pre-trial briefs filed,
8 but we also have had some other motions filed, which means that we still
9 have some time to go before we can declare the pre-trial phase over.
10 Let me, before we go over the outstanding motions, and I will
11 offer counsel an opportunity to comment on it and shed whatever light I
12 can on where we are on that, I would like to assure, I think, primarily
13 the Prosecution, but it also concerns the Defence, that the Trial Chamber
14 is very much aware of the fact of the importance of the question of
15 adjudicated facts, well, for two reasons: One is that a resolution of
16 that is of importance for the scope of the Prosecution's case; and the
17 second is, obviously, there's a link to the question of adjudicated facts
18 to the question of agreed facts. The more adjudicated facts that could be
19 agreed between the parties, not only would it have an impact on the scope
20 of the Prosecution's case, but it will have an impact on the matter under
21 dispute which the trial could be concluded.
22 So that's why the Trial Bench will, obviously, try to bring a
23 resolution on the outstanding motions we have there as soon as possible.
24 But at the same time, and I will come back to that, I again would like to
25 urge the parties to take whatever opportunity there is to engage in direct
Page 82
1 discussion regarding the whole scope of agreed facts. And as I said, I
2 will come back to this point later.
3 This was just, Mr. Tieger, in order to encourage you and your team
4 that that matter is not forgotten.
5 Before we go down to the question of the outstanding motions, I
6 would like to have an understanding to what extent a favourable decision
7 by the Bench on the adjudicated facts motion, as they are now, if you can
8 give me any assistance to what extent that would impact on your need to
9 bring lead witnesses. You know, just give an estimate, if you were
10 favourable on all counts, as far as see them, to what extent would that
11 impact in numbers of witnesses, leaving aside the question of 92 bis and
12 quater for the moment.
13 Is it possible to make an estimate on that, Mr. Tieger?
14 MR. TIEGER: Your Honour, for many of the purposes of today's
15 hearing, as was the case in the 65 ter yesterday, I'm going to ask
16 Ms. Richterova to take the lead in responding to the Court. And with
17 respect to this particular matter, I'm not sure we're in a position to
18 quantify that precisely for the Court.
19 Certainly, we could indicate to the Court, as a general
20 proposition, that the thrust of the Court's inquiry, at least what I
21 understand to be the thrust of the Court's inquiry, is perfectly correct.
22 There obviously is a relationship between the particular witnesses and
23 number of witnesses the Prosecution would be obliged to call, and the
24 adjudicated facts that may be decided upon.
25 Ms. Richterova may have some more specific information on that
Page 83
1 that she can relay to the Court; but as I say, at this moment, I'm not in
2 a position to provide the Court with a precise correlation between the
3 adjudicated facts and a favourable ruling on all or a portion of that
4 motion and the precise number of witnesses who would be called, beyond
5 saying that there's a clear relationship between the two.
6 JUDGE THELIN: Ms. Richterova, anything to add?
7 MS. RICHTEROVA: At this point, I can add just a little.
8 As you are aware, we filed a second motion for adjudicated facts
9 because the Brdjanin case, the Simic case, and the Galic case have been
10 settled on appeal. We added new facts. They mostly relate to
11 crime-based. So as you can see from these facts, they relate to the ARK
12 region, I would say to five municipalities in the ARK region; further, it
13 relates to Bosanski Sumac and Visegrad. We can reduce significantly the
14 number of witness calling for these municipalities.
15 It doesn't mean, of course, that we won't call any witnesses from
16 these municipalities, but I would like to stress we can reduce their
17 number.
18 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you. Obviously, I had hoped you would say,
19 well, it would cut the case down to two months or something, but I
20 understand the difficulties at this stage to make an assessment. Thank
21 you for what you've given me.
22 Let's now then look at the motions. We have, as far as I can see,
23 three motions on judicial -- adjudicated facts: One from the Defence --
24 sorry, from the Prosecution, from 2006; and one from the Defence filed
25 early this year on the 1st of February, and those have been responded to,
Page 84
1 so those are ready, as it were; And then, as Ms. Richterova indicated, we
2 have a very newly-filed motion, filed on the 10th of May. And as you
3 indicated, it's gone by the now final decisions in the Brdjanin, Simic,
4 and Galic cases, and that one needs still to be responded to before the
5 Chamber is ready to deliberate and resolve on it.
6 When would you be ready to respond, Mr. Bezbradica? I am asking
7 because you have indicated that you would have problems meeting the times
8 as it now is laid down. I believe the time would be the 24th of May.
9 Would you be ready to file a response to that at that time?
10 MR. BEZBRADICA: Your Honour, as you're aware, I just came in from
11 Belgrade last week, Tuesday of last week, and I print out everything from
12 internet on Friday. At this stage, we are still translating the
13 Prosecution motion into the Serbian language, and at this stage everything
14 is under our serious consideration. We will try to reconsider our
15 position and maybe try to make some progress in this way.
16 As I mentioned yesterday, I appreciate if you can give me some
17 extension, not just for this -- my response for this motion, but also for
18 another one or an amended indictment.
19 As you're aware, I go back to my home on Saturday, but I will be
20 retired. I just ask maybe for days, if you can give me. If not, I will
21 do my best to finish everything in due time.
22 Thank you.
23 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you, Mr. Bezbradica. We certainly appreciate
24 that coming from down under, as it were, and having to relate with your
25 client in Belgrade, and that puts the stress on you, on a personal base,
Page 85
1 although the choices that you have undertaken for this assignment, given
2 your domicile, there are obviously limits to the excuses that could be
3 made given that fact. However, I'm not unresponsive, so you are to file a
4 response on the case -- in the matter of the Prosecution's motion for
5 adjudicated facts not later than the 7th of June this year. I added "this
6 year" just to make that clear.
7 MR. BEZBRADICA: Thank you.
8 JUDGE THELIN: Moving, then, to, leaving the three motions of
9 adjudicated on the side, next batch, if you will, or motions I have are
10 the two motions from the Defence on access to confidential material: One
11 related to the Mrdja case, and the other to the Deronjic case. And unless
12 you wish to add something on this, Mr. Bezbradica, my intention was only
13 to assure that you we are ready to take a decision on those two motions in
14 the near future.
15 MR. BEZBRADICA: I don't have anything. Thank you.
16 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you.
17 There is also, from the Prosecution, a motion on protective
18 measures, a matter which we also will deal with, I hope, in the near
19 future.
20 Any comment from the Prosecution on that?
21 MS. RICHTEROVA: No, Your Honour. I think everything is stated in
22 that motion.
23 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you.
24 Then we have from you, Mr. Bezbradica, two motions dealing with
25 what you perceive to be noncompliance as far as the Prosecution is
Page 86
1 concerned. The first one regards the question of disclosure of witness
2 statements under Rule 66(A)(II) which you filed on the 23rd of March and a
3 corrigenda to that file on the 30th of April, and it seems to me - I know
4 that this was discussed yesterday at the 65 ter conference as well - that
5 there have been some matters of translation which have delayed the full
6 disclosure from the Prosecution.
7 Is the Prosecution ready to state when a full disclosure of this
8 matter could be had?
9 MS. RICHTEROVA: Yes, Your Honour. As I stated yesterday, we
10 anticipated to disclose 14 of audiotapes with B/C/S translation of certain
11 transcripts, but, unfortunately, today we are faced with a major technical
12 problem. So it has been addressed. It has been almost solved, so I
13 discuss it with Mr. Bezbradica that these 14 transcripts and some
14 additional translations will be disclosed tomorrow morning, and additional
15 they will be disclosed as soon as possible. And if you want to -- if you
16 want me to be more precise, just in case we are facing any other technical
17 problem, one month.
18 JUDGE THELIN: Comments, Mr. Bezbradica.
19 MR. BEZBRADICA: I don't have really any comments, only that I
20 just met a few minutes ago with Ms. Anna to come back tomorrow morning and
21 pick up CDs. Thank you.
22 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you.
23 Well, with those clarifications, I think that matter is ready for
24 a resolution here and now, and in that sense I grant the motion in part by
25 directing the Prosecution to make the full disclosure under 66(A)(II) not
Page 87
1 later than the 15th of June, which is a Friday, and that should give you
2 your month, Ms. Richterova. And as far as the rest of the motion, that is
3 denied, Mr. Bezbradica.
4 When it comes to the second motion, Mr. Bezbradica, where you
5 argue that the Prosecution is in noncompliance with Rule 65 ter(E), a
6 motion which you filed on the 16th of March, 2007, and with a late
7 corrigendum on the 8th of May, we have had a response to that and the
8 Trial Chamber will take a decision also on that matter in the future.
9 Do you have anything to add to that?
10 MR. BEZBRADICA: No, Your Honour, I don't have. Everything is
11 stated there in my motion. Thank you.
12 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you.
13 I take it, by the shaking of the head, nothing from the
14 Prosecution on this.
15 MS. RICHTEROVA: You are right, Your Honour, we have nothing more
16 to add.
17 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you.
18 We then come to what was indicated by you, Ms. Richterova; namely,
19 that you also filed simultaneously, more or less, with your motion of
20 adjudicated facts in May, a motion for leave to amend to the rights to
21 amend the indictment on the 9th of May, and I take it from that motion -
22 and I would like to have your confirmation on that - that would not or
23 lead to be granted, change the scope of the indictment. Is that correct?
24 MS. RICHTEROVA: You are right, Your Honour. The reason for
25 filing this proposed amended indictment was primarily to, in light of the
Page 88
1 recent Brdjanin Appeal Judgement, to reduce the scope of JCE, and also
2 based on the Defence Pre-Trial Brief and his various comments, to clarify
3 the amount of responsibility of his client. There are no new charges
4 included in this proposed second amended indictment, and we are -- we do
5 not intend to call new witnesses or to submit new documents in relation to
6 this proposed amended indictment.
7 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you.
8 Well, Mr. Bezbradica, that is also something that needs to be
9 responded to. All I think that Ms. Richterova indicated, some matters
10 there clarified matters that you had raised in the motion that I referred
11 to earlier, but you have indicated that you will not be ready to file a
12 response, which timely would be on the 23rd of May; is that correct?
13 MR. BEZBRADICA: Yes, Your Honour. And I would like to ask for an
14 extension for the same reason as earlier. Thank you.
15 JUDGE THELIN: I had understood that, and you will have the same
16 time as granted for responding to the adjudicated facts motion; that is,
17 on the 7th of June, 2007, we expect to have your response also on the
18 amended indictment motion.
19 MR. BEZBRADICA: Thank you, Your Honour. Thank you very much.
20 JUDGE THELIN: Well, that exhausts my list of outstanding matters
21 involving the parties. Would that square with the parties' understanding,
22 or are there other matters outstanding as far as motions are concerned?
23 MS. RICHTEROVA: I'm not aware of any additional pending motion or
24 outstanding issues.
25 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you very much. And I take it that is your
Page 89
1 position as well, Mr. Bezbradica.
2 MR. BEZBRADICA: I think at this stage everything is in proper
3 order, and I am not aware about anything.
4 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you very much.
5 I then come to what I indicated before, the question of agreed
6 facts. As you may recall, I underscored and tried to make that as clear
7 as possible, the Bench appreciation of the parties getting together to
8 agree on matters; not only, as I said, linked to the outstanding motion of
9 adjudicated facts, but also should the parties feel inclined to do so, to
10 cover the whole scope of the case, as such, and only the parties will set
11 the limits for how far agreements can go.
12 And I was a bit disappointed when I understood that despite
13 promises made after the last status conference, there hasn't been - that's
14 my understanding- in a direct context between the Prosecution and the
15 counsel for the Defence on this. I may be wrong, but I wish to have
16 confirmations that regardless of what has happened, in the future parties
17 will now engage in discussions in order to be able to maximize the amount
18 of agreed facts and other matters related to the scope of the case.
19 Mr. Tieger.
20 MR. TIEGER: Yes, Your Honour. I'm happy to confirm that from the
21 Prosecution's side. We are determined not to let the absence of progress
22 in the past discourage us from engaging in discussions with the Defence
23 towards that end. In light of the past, I'm certainly not going to
24 overstate the likelihood of success, but I will certainly assure the Court
25 that we'll do our best to move that process forward.
Page 90
1 I can also indicate to the Court that there were discussions with
2 the Defence this week along those very lines, and we'll take on board the
3 Court's suggestion that there's no reason to arbitrarily limit the scope
4 of such discussions, and do everything that can be done to address all
5 issues which may be amenable to agreement.
6 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you, Mr. Tieger.
7 Mr. Bezbradica.
8 MR. BEZBRADICA: Your Honour, I would like to make some
9 clarification in this regard of agreed facts.
10 As you are aware, the accused agrees to accept the facts under
11 paragraph 25 on page 10 of the current indictment; but in my letter of 13
12 February 2007, the different advise of the Prosecution that in light of
13 the status conference of the 8th of January, 2007, the accused further
14 agreed to accept the facts under paragraph 29 and 30 on page 11 of the
15 indictment as agreed facts. It means that we have some progress there.
16 At this stage -- or last week I received the proposed second
17 amended indictment and the numbering of paragraphs is slightly changed
18 now, and I'm not sure at this stage what will happen with that
19 indictment. But at this stage we will have new consideration in regard to
20 everything, and we will advise you is there any progress our not.
21 Thank you.
22 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you, Mr. Bezbradica. I'm fully aware that,
23 obviously, you need to seek guidance from your client; but on the other
24 hand, it is you who are the legal expert, and you are the one who is best
25 equipped to assess, for instance, the impact of the Appeals Chambers
Page 91
1 decisions on cases newly handed down, what that would entail for your
2 client as well, when it comes to assessing the scope of the case as you
3 see it. So it's a two-way street between you and your client.
4 And as I have indicated, I think the broader the discussions could
5 be on what could be agreed between the parties, the better. I think, it
6 would be -- it would be certainly in the interests of justice and in the
7 interests of your client to try to maximise the scope of the field of
8 agreements that could be reached between you and the Prosecution.
9 So with that, I will again underscore the direct contacts between
10 counsel to try to explore, to the extent possible, what could be done
11 here, provided obviously that you bring your client well into the fold in
12 this, Mr. Bezbradica.
13 You're nodding, so I take it you consent.
14 MR. BEZBRADICA: I understand everything, Your Honour, and I will
15 advise my client in respect of the conclusion of this status conference.
16 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you very much, Mr. Bezbradica.
17 I have some matters, before I leave the parties, to raise whatever
18 needs to be raised just to tick off what I have on my list.
19 As far as your work plan is concerned, there are only two
20 outstanding items, and that is the pre-trial conference and the start of
21 the trial. And as the parties are aware, this -- at present this case is
22 scheduled not with an immediate priority; but we also know, and I think
23 the Delic case is an example, that even if scheduling indicates that a
24 case may be some time off to be ready for trial, as far as the Tribunal is
25 concerned, there is a need for the parties to be ready, and that's why
Page 92
1 this process in order to bring the pre-trial phase to a close is so
2 important.
3 I also understand, Mr. Bezbradica, that you have indicated that
4 you would need something in the order of three months early advanced
5 notice before any trial. Is that correct?
6 MR. BEZBRADICA: Yes, it is, Your Honour. I gave my submission
7 yesterday in this respect. Thank you.
8 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you. Well, we obviously cannot promise, but
9 we have noted your request, and, obviously, we'll take that into account.
10 But some of these matters are, obviously, outside the hands of this Trial
11 Bench when it comes to the planning of the cases for the Tribunal as a
12 whole.
13 With that, it's obviously too early to fill in the blanks when it
14 comes to pre-trial conference and the start of the trial, and that also
15 impacts on the question which also was raised yesterday by you,
16 Ms. Richterova, the question of 92 bis ter and quater statements, and I
17 think you are right, and I think the Defence agrees that the proper Bench
18 to decide on those matters would be the Trial Bench, i.e., the Bench that
19 eventually will hear the case.
20 It also obviously has an impact on the outcome of the pending
21 motions on both adjudicated facts and the motion for leave to amend the
22 indictment. Once those are out of the way, there may also be a need to
23 add to the already-filed pre-trial briefs on both sides; but that would
24 decide, I would imagine, the scope of 92 bis, ter and quater submissions
25 which the Prosecution will make.
Page 93
1 So what I see is once we have a decision on the outstanding
2 motions, that would be the time for the Prosecution to file motions
3 regarding the written statements, then for the Trial Bench to address
4 that.
5 Would that meet with the parties' understanding? Prosecution?
6 MS. RICHTEROVA: I fully agree with you, Your Honour. It makes
7 sense to wait until all the unresolved issues has been resolved, and then
8 we can file our further submissions.
9 JUDGE THELIN: Then, Mr. Bezbradica, it's for you to react to each
10 submission from the Prosecution in a timely manner.
11 MR. BEZBRADICA: Your Honour, I understand everything, and once we
12 receive some more we will respond in due time. Thank you.
13 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you.
14 Well, we have the ongoing matter of Rule 68 disclosures. Are
15 there any things that the parties need to raise here on this, or can I
16 take it that is continually being handled according to usual practice?
17 Mrs. Richterova?
18 MS. RICHTEROVA: Of course, we are aware of our ongoing
19 obligation, and it is more or less under control.
20 JUDGE THELIN: Do you agree, Mr. Bezbradica?
21 MR. BEZBRADICA: Agreed partially. At this stage, I still haven't
22 seen disclosure materials from the Prosecution, but at this stage I
23 haven't seen enough evidence that may suggest the innocence of my client
24 or affect the credibility of the Prosecution witness. But shortly, when I
25 review everything in probably a short period of time, I will address. The
Page 94
1 Prosecution asked for disclosure of these materials, and we will see what
2 will happen after.
3 Thank you.
4 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you.
5 Well, those are the matters I thought I should raise with the
6 parties.
7 MS. RICHTEROVA: I'm sorry, I --
8 JUDGE THELIN: I'm sorry. I am just reading the transcript.
9 There was something here. I don't fully understand what you mean here.
10 Would you like to comment, Mr. Tieger?
11 MR. TIEGER: I had the same problem, Your Honour. I want to
12 assume, and I'd like confirmation of the fact, that that's not any kind of
13 allegation by Mr. Bezbradica that the Prosecution is not complying with
14 its Rule 68 obligations by disclosing material that falls within the scope
15 of 68.
16 If it's simply a comment that Mr. Bezbradica hasn't identified
17 himself some kind of material that he would hope to find, then he's
18 welcome to make such comments. But if there is something more to that
19 comment than meets the eye, we would like to know about that because we
20 have been in contact with the Defence about Rule 68, and we weren't aware
21 of any logistical or other disclosure problems in relation to that.
22 JUDGE THELIN: Mr. Bezbradica, one thing is obviously your
23 analysis of the material that you are being provided with by the
24 Prosecution, that's one matter. The other is whether you feel that you
25 are being provided what you have the right to expect. I didn't
Page 95
1 understand, although it was a bit oblique here, that you made an
2 allegation that the Prosecution didn't provide you with what you are to
3 expect under the disclosure rules, 68.
4 MR. BEZBRADICA: I didn't feel I received plenty of CDs, and when
5 I have time, I'm going to review everything. And at this stage, I haven't
6 reviewed all CDs and all paperwork; and at this stage, I didn't find some
7 information which are going to for the benefit of my client. I didn't
8 feel they are not going to provide me with that; but if I find something
9 that I don't understand or I'm looking for some more information, I will
10 contact them and I will try to fix everything.
11 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you for clarifying that. I think that matter
12 is out of the way now.
13 My list is then exhausted. Are there any other matters which the
14 parties need to raise at this point? Prosecution?
15 MS. RICHTEROVA: I'm not aware of any issues which need to be
16 raised during this status conference.
17 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you, Mrs. Richterova.
18 Mr. Bezbradica?
19 MR. BEZBRADICA: Your Honour, I don't have any new issues to raise
20 today. Thank you.
21 JUDGE THELIN: Thank you.
22 Well, with that, I think we can bring this status conference to a
23 close, and again I encourage parties to engage in vigorous discussions.
24 We are adjourned.
25 --- Whereupon the Status Conference concluded at
Page 96
1 3:33 p.m.
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