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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
December 2, 1998

Today, the NATO-led Stabilization Force, acting within its mandate, detained Lieutenant Colonel General Radislav Krstic in the U.S. military sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Krstic, who is a three star general serving in the Republika Srpska Army, is being flown to The Hague and will be taken into the custody of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Radislav Krstic is charged in a sealed indictment by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia with genocide, crimes against humanity, and violations of the laws and customs of war related to Srebrenica, while he was serving as the Drina Corps Commander in the Bosnian Serb Army in 1995 in eastern Bosnia.

This detention was carried out by SFOR forces and in coordination with the ICTY prosecutor. There were no incidents or injuries during the operation.

This action has taken place in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the General Framework for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina of the Dayton Accords. It serves as a standing warning to those indicted for war crimes, who remain at large, that they will be held individually accountable for their actions.

This was not an action against the Serb people of Bosnia or the Republika Srpska Army. It was an action to bring to justice, under the rule of law, a person indicted for war crimes. General Krstic will receive fair treatment under the ICTY Statute and Rules of Procedure and Evidence.

The international community has repeatedly made clear that it believes the surrender of persons indicted for war crimes is an essential part of building peace and reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States supports this action by SFOR as contributing to a lasting and sustainable peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

All persons indicted for war crimes, including Radovan Karadzic and General Ratko Mladic, belong in The Hague in the custody of the International Criminal Tribunal.

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