United Nations, July 29: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has decided to recommend to the Security Council to replace Carla Del Ponte as the chief prosecutor for the tribunal trying cases of genocide in Rwanda amidst reports that she is investigating several military and civilian leaders of the present Tutsi-led government for their possible role in mass killings in 1994. Angered by her refusal to drop the cases, Rwanda has not been cooperating with the tribunal and has been working for to get her replaced. Annan informed Del Ponte of his decision when she met him yesterday, diplomats said. Annan, they said, is expected to send a letter to the Security Council shortly, recommending that she be replaced as chief prosecutor of Rwanda tribunal but continue to as chief prosecutor for UN tribunal charged with trying cases of genocide in Yugoslavia. Del Ponte was chief prosecutor of both the tribunals but Rwanda government, backed by the United States and Britain, had been lobbying for her removal from Rwanda tribunal.

The final decision lies with the Security Council but diplomats say Annan has already consulted the five permanent members - the United States, Britain, Russia, France and China-and none of them has raised any objection. The council must take a decision by September 15 when four-year term of Del Ponte ends.

Reacting publicly for the first time since the controversy about Del Ponte broke out, Annan said two prosecutors might be necessary as both tribunals are being asked to draw up a completion strategy to finish their work.


Bureau Report