INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (Ictr)-

Published: Fri 22 Jun 2007 07:55 PM
VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUCNDT #0507 1731955
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221955Z JUN 07
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2117
INFO RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM PRIORITY 0247
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI PRIORITY 0225
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 8895
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000507
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KAWC KJUS PREF PREL ZF RW
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA (ICTR)-
RWANDA'S PROSECUTOR GENERAL NGOGA DISCUSSES COMPLETION
STRATEGY
1. Amb. Gerald Scott, USUN Senior Area Adviser for
Africa,and USUN Legal Adviser Carolyn Willson met on June 21
with Rwanda's Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga and the GOR's
representative to the ICTR, Mutabingwa Alloys, at their
request, to discuss Rwanda's role in the ICTR's completion
strategy. Ngoga was in New York to address the Security
Council on June 18 and to meet with Council members to convey
Rwanda's views on the process of winding up the Tribunal.
Ngoga thanked the U.S. (as he had done in his public
statement) for assistance with capacity building and noted
that an American NGO is working to organize a donor's
conference.
2. Ngoga also raised the issue of ICTR fugitives and the
Security Council's role in bringing them to justice. He
noted a recent arrest in Philadelphia and several in Europe,
but said that European states have not yet acted to extradite
detainees that they hold to Rwanda. Ngoga said Council
assistance is needed to oblige member states to arrest
fugitives and extradite them to Rwanda.
3. The Legal Adviser noted the timeliness of the meeting
since the Council members are just beginning discussions with
Tribunal officials on steps to be taken to prepare for
closing the Tribunals. It was clear, she said, that Rwandan
judicial authorities have a key role to play during this
period and their input is important. She urged Ngoga to
provide points in writing to members of the Council and to
continue a dialogue as discussion of "legacy" issues
progresses. This could be done on a bilateral basis or by
participation in the informal meetings which are taking place
in New York between Council members and representative of
interested states (Netherlands, Tanzania).
4. Comment. These Rwanda jurists made an impressive
presentation. They are deeply engaged and have obviously
given careful consideration to Rwanda's role in the post ICTR
period. Their perspective is well informed and their input
important. USUN will encourage other Council members to
include Rwandan representatives in plans for future work on
Tribunal issues. End Comment.
WOLFF
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