Press Release . Communiqué de presse
(Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document)

CC/PIU/322-E
The Hague, 8 June 1998

MINISTER VAN MIERLO AND AMBASSADOR SCHEFFER

TO INAUGURATE COURTROOM III ON FRIDAY 12 JUNE

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) proudly announces that its third Courtroom will be inaugurated on Friday 12 June 1998 at noon.

The construction and the equipment of this Courtroom has been entirely funded by two generous donations of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (about US $ 1,65 million) and the United States of America (about US $ 1 million).

The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affaires, H.E. Mr. Hans van Mierlo, and the United States Ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues, H.E. Mr. David Scheffer, will lead the inauguration. The ceremony will be opened by the President of the ICTY, Judge Gabrielle Kirk McDonald. It will begin at noon in the Public Gallery of the new courtroom.

After the actual inauguration, at about 12.50 p.m., H.E Mr. van Mierlo, H.E. Mr. Scheffer, President McDonald and Justice Arbour will give a joint press-conference. The conference will last until 1.20 p.m.

Media representatives are kindly invited to attend the whole ceremony and to gather in the lobby of the ICTY at 11.45 a.m. at the latest.

If you wish to attend, please complete the form below and return it before Thursday 11 June 1998.

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