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U.S. Says Yugoslavia Obstructing Court, May Lose Aid Mon Mar 18,12:50 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States complained on Monday that Yugoslavia continues to obstruct the Hague war crimes tribunal and said it had not yet decided whether Belgrade had met the terms for more U.S. aid. Audio/Video U.S. Vows Help in War Crimes Search (AP) The Bush administration has to rule by March 31 whether Belgrade has met conditions set by the U.S. Congress, including cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia and releasing Kosovo Albanians from Serbian jails. A U.S. official said about $40 million was at stake, about half of the amount the United States is offering Yugoslavia. The United States could also withhold support for Yugoslavia in the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. After talks on Monday with ICTY chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte, Secretary of State Colin Powell told reporters: "We noted the lack of progress on the part of the authorities in Belgrade with respect to the work of the tribunal." "I told her we would redouble our efforts to get the kind of cooperation we need with respect to access to archival material, with respect to turning over other officials and with respect to putting in place domestic internal law and all the other issues," he added. Asked if Belgrade would meet the conditions, he said: "The Albanian question is still out there and as I approach the end of the month ... I will examine the total situation." "If they are not deserving they won't get it. If they are, they will, and they know what they have to do and we'll keep the pressure on," he added. The looming deadline promises to create the same last-minute political drama in Yugoslavia as that which marked the handover of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic last year, observers say. Diplomats said last week they expected Belgrade to turn in several indictees before March 31, even at the risk of offending nationalists and Serbs suspicion of the Hague court. Del Ponte said she was "very pleased" to discuss with Powell the ICTY's problems conducting investigations in Yugoslavia and obtaining the arrest of fugitives there. Powell said he and the prosecutor also talked about "the ultimate exit strategy" for the ICTY -- the U.S. term for its goal of having the war crimes trials end by 2008. But he added: "In due course, of course, she would expect her work to be finished but I can assure you that until her work is finished, the United States will be supporting her every step of the way." Del Ponte said she preferred the term "completion strategy", rather than "exit strategy". __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Sports - live college hoops coverage http://sports.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
