1 March 2002

SFOR News Release Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina - In the second operation in less than 24 hours, multi-national SFOR forces moved to seize Radovan Karadzic near the town of Celebici in the Republika Srpska. SFOR multi-national soldiers conducted the operation with combined ground and air forces. While he was not seized, SFOR continues its efforts to apprehend him. The operation was conducted after SFOR received additional intelligence that the indicted war criminal was still hiding in the area near Celebici. This operation and yesterday's operation further highlight SFOR and NATO's resolve to detain persons indicted for war crimes (PIFWC) and to continue to bring pressure to bear against all PIFWC(s) who do not voluntarily surrender. The International Crimes Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) indicted Karadzic on 14 November 1995 under suspicion for serious crimes against humanity. SFOR and ICTY have sought the arrest of Karadzic for the last six years. SFOR and NATO remain committed to bringing all PIFWC(s) to justice and urge the government of the Republika Srpska to fulfill its commitment to the Dayton Peace Accords by turning in these indicted individuals. SFOR remains very concerned for the safety of the local populace and asks Radovan Karadzic to do the sensible thing and surrender to the appropriate authorities, before he is forcibly apprehended. Additional information: NATO Update: SFOR Operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina - 28 February 2002 The official webmodule of the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina Photos of the operation The official website of the International Criminal Tribunal on the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) The General Framework Agreement ("Dayton Accords")