July 28, 2006
Embassy of the United States of America
Belgrade

Statement from Clint Williamson, Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues

This is my first trip to the region as Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues. I am pleased to be here and to have the opportunity to meet Serbia's leaders, including PM Kostunica and President Tadic. I look forward to strengthening our relationship as Serbia takes the necessary steps to move even further towards full Euro-Atlantic integration.

During my meetings in Belgrade, I have reiterated that Serbia must fulfill its international obligation to apprehend (and arrest, if necessary) and transfer to The Hague all persons indicted by the ICTY for war crimes. We are encouraged by the government's actions over the last 18 months during which 17 persons indicted for war crimes were transferred to The Hague. It is essential, however, that this process continue and that the remaining fugitives, particularly Ratko Mladic, be brought to justice. Serbian officials have told me personally that they are willing to ensure Mladic's transfer to the ICTY. And, by approving its action plan, the Serbian Government has signaled to the international community that it takes this obligation seriously. We now look forward to Serbia's rapid implementation of meaningful steps, fully supported by the highest levels of the Serbian Government, which will bring about the capture of Mladic.

The plans and the commitments are made. Now is the time for Serbia to take action and to achieve full cooperation with the ICTY – not only because the international community expects this, but because it is the right thing to do. Let us not forget that Mladic is accused of supervising the mass murder of thousands of unarmed people. Unless Serbia closes this dark chapter, it cannot move swiftly into the future its citizens deserve – a bright and prosperous future in a Europe whole, free and at peace.

28. jul, 2006
Ambasada Sjedinjenih Američkih Država
Beograd

Izjava Klinta Vilijamsona, ambasadora Sjedinjenih Američkih Država za pitanja ratnih zločina

Ovo je moj prva poseta regionu u svojstvu ambasadora Stejt dipartmenta za pitanja ratnih zločina. Drago mi je da sam ovde i da imam priliku da razgovaram sa srpskim rukovodstvom uključujući premijera Koštunicu i predsednika Tadića. Unapred se radujem jačanju naših veza u trenutku dok Srbija poduzima potrebne korake ka punoj evro-atlantskoj integraciji.

Tokom sastanaka u Beogradu, ponovo sam naglasio da Srbija mora ispuniti svoje međunarodne obaveze u pronalaženju (i hapšenju, ukoliko je to potrebno), te izručenju u Hag svih onih koji su od strane Tribunala optuženi za ratne zločine. Ohrabreni smo postupcima vlade u poslednjih 18 meseci kada je 17 osoba koje su optužene za ratne zločine izručeno Tribunalu u Hagu. Od suštinske je važnosti, međutim, da se ovaj proces nastavi i da preostali begunci, naročito Ratko Mladić, budu izvedeni pred lice pravde. Sprski zvaničnici su mi rekli da su spremni da se pobrinu da Mladić bude isporučen Tribunalu u Hagu. Usvajajući Akcioni plan, srpska vlada je međunarodnoj zajednici uputila jasnu poruku da svoju obavezu shvata ozbiljno. Radujemo se brzoj primeni ovih važnih koraka koje u potpunosti podržavaju najviše instance vlade Srbije, a koji će dovesti do hvatanja Mladića.

Planovi i obaveze su tu. Sada je trenutak za Srbiju da krene u akciju i u potpunosti saradjuje sa Tribunalom u Hagu – i to ne samo zato što to očekuje međunarodna zajednica, već i zato što je to jedina ispravna stvar koju treba uraditi. Ne zaboravimo da je Mladić optužen kao naredbodavac masovnog ubistva hiljada nenaoružanih ljudi. Ukoliko Srbija ne ostavi iza sebe ovo mračno poglavlje, ona ne može brzo krenuti u onu budućnost koju njeni građani zaslužuju – svetlu i uspešnu budućnost Evrope koja je celovitia, slobodna i u miru.

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