Karadzic - Holbrooke Agreement Scrutinized

Karadžić-Holbrooke Rumors Sscrutinized

19 September 2007

11:51 -> 12:57

Source: B92, Beta

B92

BELGRADE -- The war crimes prosecution will investigate rumors of a deal struck between Radovan Karadžić and Richard Holbrooke.

Karadžić allegedly made a deal with the American diplomat after the war in Bosnia, securing he would not be arrested and tried by the Hague Tribunal, provided he resigned from all political functions within the Republic of Srpska government.

According to B92’s sources, the Serbian war crimes prosecutor’s office has information regarding the alleged deal, adding that prosecutors have spoken to various, then senior officials from both Serbia and the Republic of Srpska.

Chief War Crimes Prosecutor Vladimir Vukčević stated that he would have some new information for Chief Hague Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte, when she arrives in Belgrade tomorrow.

After a meeting yesterday with Justice Minister Dušan Petrović, Vukčević said that his team was actively working on all cases related to Hague fugitives, Karadžić included.

The prosecutor also offered assurances that Del Ponte would be happy with what she heard during her visit to Belgrade.

He also said he was surprised by the announcement made by Republic of Srpska officials that Hague fugitive Stojan Župljanin would be arrested soon.

“We are also active in regard to Stojan Župljanin, Ratko Mladić and Goran Hadžić, and we have taken various steps in regard to Radovan Karadžić as well,” Vukčević said.

“We will have time to inform Chief Hague Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte of developments when she arrives in Belgrade,” he added.

Ljajić: No Signs Of New Arrests:

Rasim Ljajić said that it was theoretically possible for a Hague fugitive to make a mistake and allow himself to be located.

The President of the National Council for Hague Cooperation said that at this moment in time, however, there were no indications that any of the remaining fugitives would be extradited to the Hague Tribunal.

Ljajić said that the mistakes made by Hague indictee Zdravko Tolimir, and the series of circumstances that led to his arrest, could happen again, adding that “Serbian institutions had been close to locating another fugitive, but to no avail ultimately.”

“We are doing everything we can at this moment, and we have put unprecedented efforts of a human and technical nature into finishing this job. However, this is no guarantee that they will pay off,” Ljajić said.

He added that Hague Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte’s visit tomorrow would not produce any spectacular results, stating that it was nothing more than a routine consultation.

“We hope that the activities we are undertaking will be enough to convince Del Ponte that we are doing everything in our power to bring this cooperation towards completion,” Ljajić said.