22 January 1998
TEXT: CLINTON ON APPREHENSION OF INDICTED SERB WAR CRIMINAL
(Goran Jelisic detained by SFOR troops, taken to The Hague) (440)
Washington -- President Clinton said he welcomed the news that
indicted war criminal Goran Jelisic was detained by SFOR forces in the
Republika Srpska and is now being transported to The Hague for trial
before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
Jelisic, a Bosnian Serb, was indicted by the Tribunal in 1995 for 56
counts of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
"I congratulate the SFOR [NATO-led Stabilization Force] troops who
participated in this effort," Clinton said January 22. "The United
States continues to support fully the work of the Tribunal to bring
indicted war criminals to justice."
The president called "on all parties to the Dayton Accords to fulfill
their obligations to bring all indicted war criminals to justice.
Carrying out these commitments is essential for advancing the work of
reconciliation in Bosnia."
Following is the text of President Clinton's statement:
(Begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 22, 1998
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
APPREHENSION OF INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL GORAN JELISIC
I welcome the news that Goran Jelisic has been detained by SFOR
forces, led by American units, in the Republika Srpska city of
Bijeljina. He is now being transported to The Hague for trial before
the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Jelisic
was indicted by the Tribunal in 1995 for 56 counts of genocide, war
crimes, and crimes against humanity. The SFOR forces acted according
to their rules of engagement, which authorize the apprehension of
indicted war criminals when encountered in the course of their duties.
This was the third such apprehension by SFOR forces, following actions
last July and December that resulted in the capture of four indictees
and the death of a fifth.
I congratulate the SFOR troops who participated in this effort. The
United States continues to support fully the work of the Tribunal to
bring indicted war criminals to justice. Jelisic will be the 23rd of
78 indictees brought to The Hague for trial. It is important to recall
that most of these were delivered in the last seven months by the
parties themselves. We intend to sustain political and economic
pressure to assure continued compliance with the Dayton Accords.
We must continue this progress. Today, I call again on all parties to
the Dayton Accords to fulfill their obligations to bring all indicted
war criminals to justice. Carrying out these commitments is essential
for advancing the work of reconciliation in Bosnia.
(End text)
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