Press Release (98)40 8 April 1998

Statement by the Secretary General of NATO, Dr Javier SOLANA on SFOR's Action Against Indicted War Criminals On 8 April 1998, SFOR detained Miroslav Kvocka and Mladen Radic, who are indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY). They are now being processed for transfer to the Hague. 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. SFOR will continue to carry out its mandate firmly and fairly and will not tolerate any behaviour by any party contrary to the Peace Agreement. This action by SFOR is yet another warning to all those indicted for war crimes who are still at large that they, too, will be brought to justice. Once again I call on them to surrender immediately to the ICTY. The parties to the Peace Agreement must also comply fully with their commitment to transfer indicted war criminals to the ICTY. SACEUR, as overall commander for SFOR, has kept me fully informed of this action. I should like to praise the SFOR troops and their commanders for their courage, professionalism and dedication in carrying out this action, which will contribute to the continued consolidation of the peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.