Washington, 7 October 1997 (RFE/RL) - The U.S. is praising the Croatian Government and Croatians in Bosnia for helping to bring about the surrender of ten Croats accused of committing war crimes during the Bosnian civil war.
State Department spokesman James Rubin singled out Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, saying Tudjman's commitment to living up to the Bosnian peace accords has produced concrete results.
Earlier yesterday, the top Bosnian Croat war crimes suspect and nine others were turned over to the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague. The ten surrendered in exchange for assurances of a speedy trial. Rubin said the suspects are guaranteed a fair trial and due process of law.
Rubin criticized the Serbian Government in Belgrade and Bosnian Serb leaders for failing to comply with their peace accord obligations to assist in the prosecution of alleged war criminals.