The Security Council this afternoon appointed Canadian Justice Louise Arbour as Prosecutor of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia and the International Tribunal for Rwanda. Justice Arbour will succeed Justice Richard Goldstone of South Africa whose resignation will take effect on 1 October 1996.
The Council, noting with regret the resignation of Justice Goldstone, made the appointment by unanimously adopting resolution 1047 (1996).
After the adoption of the resolution, the President of the Council, Madeline K. Albright (United States), said she was pleased that the Council had been able to provide a seamless transition in the work of the war crimes Tribunal.
The International Tribunal was established by Security Council resolution 827 (1993). The Council also adopted the Statute of the Tribunal and decided that all States must cooperate fully with the Tribunal and take any measures necessary under their domestic law to implement its Statute. The Tribunal was inaugurated on 17 November 1993 at the Peace Palace in The Hague. During its first session which lasted until 30 November 1993, Antonio Cassese of Italy and Elizabeth Odio Benito of Costa Rica were elected President and Vice-President, respectively, of the Tribunal.
Text of Resolution
The text of resolution 1047 (1996) reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling its resolutions 808 (1993) of 22 February 1993, 827 (1993) of 25 May 1993, 936 (1994) of 8 July 1994 and 955 (1994) of 8 November 1994,
"Noting with regret the resignation of Mr. Richard J. Goldstone taking effect 1 October 1996,
Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6187 3637th Meeting (PM) 29 February 1996
"Having regard to Article 16(4) of the Statute of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991 (S/25704) and Article 15 of the Statute of the International Tribunal for Rwanda (S/RES/955 (1994), Annex),
"Having considered the nomination by the Secretary-General of Mrs. Lousie Arbour for the position of Prosecutor of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia and the International Tribunal for Rwanda,
"Appoints Mrs. Louise Arbour as Prosecutor of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia and the International Tribunal for Rwanda with effect from the date on which Mr. Goldstone's resignation takes effect."
The meeting which began at 4:42 p.m. was adjourned at 4:44 p.m.
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