INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ELECTS ITS PRESIDENT.

MEMBERS OF APPEALS AND TRIAL CHAMBERS

THE HAGUE, 18 November -- On 18 November, in the course of the second meeting of the first session of the International War Crimes Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia, the 11 Judges elected Antonio Cassese (Italy) as their President.

Mr. Cassese is a memebr of the Human Rights Commission appointed by the Italian Prime Minister and a delegate of the Italian Government to the Council of Europe Steering Committee for Human Rights. From 1989 to 15 September 1993, he was the President of the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture. From 1987 to 1988, he was Chairman of the Council of Europe Steering Committee for Human Rights. He has also been a member of Italian Government delegations at numerous international conferences.

In the academic field, Mr. Cassese has held the Chair of International Law at the University of Pisa (1972-1974). He currently holds the Chair of International Law at the University of Florence (since 1975) and at the European University Institute (since 1987).

The judges also elected Elizabeth Odio Benito (Costa Rica) as their Vice-President.

Mrs. Odio Benito has been Minister of Justice of Costa Rica since May 1990. From 1978, to 1982, she was Costa Rica's Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

IN the academic field, Mrs. Odio Benito holds the Chair of Family Law. Labour Law and Introduction to Private Law at the University of Costa Rica (since 1987).

Finally, in accordance with article 14 of the Statute of the International Tribunal, the Judges today elected the Officers and Members of the Appeals Chamber and Trial Chambers.

The Members of The Appeals Chambers are:

President: Antonio Cassese (Italy)

Members: Georges Michel Abi-Saab (Egypt)

Jules Deschenes (Canada)

Haopei Li (China)

Sir Ninian Stephen (Australia)

The Trial Chambers are composed as follows:

President: President:

Gabrielle Kirk McDonald Adolphus Godwin Karibi-Whyte

(United States) (Nigeria)

Members: Members:

Rustam S. Sidhwa Germain Le Foyer de Costil

(Pakistan) (France)

Lal Chand Vohrah Elizabeth Odio Benito

(Malaysia) (Costa Rica)

The first session of the International Tribunal will continue until 30 november, during which ime the Judges will draft the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.

(For the Curricula vitae of the Judges, please see document A/47/1006 dated 1 September 1993)