Press Release (97)158 18 Dec. 1997

Statement by the Secretary General of NATO, Dr. Javier SOLANA on SFOR's Action Against Indicted War Criminals During the night of 17/18 December 1997, SFOR detained two Bosnian Croats, Vlatko Kuprekic and Anto Furundzija, who are indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Details will be provided in due course by the operational commanders. This action was undertaken in accordance with SFOR's mandate which authorizes it to detain such persons when encountered in the course of its duties. This mandate was given to SFOR by the North Atlantic Council under authority contained in the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions. SACEUR, as overall operational Commander for SFOR, has kept me fully informed of this action and we are following the situation very closely. As has been the case throughout the IFOR and SFOR missions, we will not tolerate any behaviour by any party contrary to the Peace Agreement. As confirmed this week by NATO Foreign Ministers, SFOR will continue its firm and even-handed approach to implementing its mandate and supporting civil implementation. In July, NATO Heads of State and Government stated that there can be no lasting peace without justice. This action by SFOR stands as a warning to all those indicted for war crimes who are still at large that they, too, will be held accountable. They should take steps immediately to surrender themselves voluntarily to the ICTY. At the same time, NATO continues to insist that the parties to the Peace Agreement comply fully with their commitment to transfer indicted war criminals to the ICTY. I should like to praise the SFOR troops and their commanders for their professionalism and dedication in carrying out this action, which will contribute to the continued consolidation of the peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.