18 August 1998


Press Release
SC/6561


COUNCIL EXTENDS TO 14 SEPTEMBER THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATION OF JUDGES TO INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA

19980818
The Security Council this morning decided to extend the deadline for nominations of judges to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda until 14 September 1998.

The Council took the action by adopting a draft letter (document S/1998/761) from its President, Danilo Türk (Slovenia), addressed to the Secretary-General. In the text, the Council requested the Secretary-General to inform Member States and Permanent Observer Missions at Headquarters of its decision to extend the deadline.

In a letter addressed to the President of the Council (document S/1998/740), the Secretary-General forwarded 14 nominations for judges of the Trial Chambers of the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda received from Member States.

The Secretary-General also drew attention to a provision of the Statute of the Tribunal which states that the Council shall establish a list of not less than 18 and not more than 27 candidates, that takes due account of adequate representation on the Tribunal of the principal legal systems of the world. He noted that the list of candidates was short of the required minimum number of 18.

The meeting, which was called to order at 11:40 a.m., adjourned at 11:44 a.m.

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