SECRETARY-GENERAL COMMENDS FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA

FOR ARREST OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC

Following is a statement by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued today in Nairobi, Kenya:

The arrest of Slobodan Milosevic is an important step in the process of healing after the tragic events in the Balkans since 1991.  I commend the authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for this decisive action.

Slobodan Milosevic is being charged for crimes under national law.  As is well known, Slobodan Milosevic has also been charged under the Statute of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia for serious violations of international law.

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has an obligation to cooperate with this Tribunal.  I am confident that the competent authorities in Belgrade will do so and urge them to immediately discuss with the Tribunal how this cooperation should be extended.  It is important that those responsible for the violations of international humanitarian law and the laws and customs of war that occurred during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia are brought to justice under due process.

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