The Hague, July 29 (RFE/RL) -- A Bosnian Serb delegation arrived in The Hague today where it is to begin talks with the U.N. tribunal investigating war crimes in the former Yugoslavia.
Western agencies said it is the first time such a high-level delegation from Republika Srpska, the Serb entity in Bosnia, has visited the tribunal. Until now, hard-line Bosnian Serbs have been unwilling to recognize the tribunal's jurisdiction.
Serb lawyer Igor Pantelic, who represented ousted Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic before the tribunal earlier this month, is part of the delegation, as is the self-declared, Bosnian Serb Justice Minister Marko Arsovic.
The delegation entered the tribunal without commenting, but last week Arsovic said he would press the tribunal to indict Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic for war crimes. Arsovic said Bosnian Serb officials have already sent the tribunal documents backing up their request for the indictement. At the time he said he would also discuss cooperation with the tribunal.
But yesterday, Arsovic said Bosnian Serb authorities will not extradite any Serbs accused of war atrocities until after the Bosnian elections.
Western agencies said it is the first time such a high-level delegation from Republika Srpska, the Serb entity in Bosnia, has visited the tribunal. Until now, hard-line Bosnian Serbs have been unwilling to recognize the tribunal's jurisdiction.
Serb lawyer Igor Pantelic, who represented ousted Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic before the tribunal earlier this month, is part of the delegation, as is the self-declared, Bosnian Serb Justice Minister Marko Arsovic.
The delegation entered the tribunal without commenting, but last week Arsovic said he would press the tribunal to indict Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic for war crimes. Arsovic said Bosnian Serb officials have already sent the tribunal documents backing up their request for the indictement. At the time he said he would also discuss cooperation with the tribunal.
But yesterday, Arsovic said Bosnian Serb authorities will not extradite any Serbs accused of war atrocities until after the Bosnian elections.