Infancy

The international criminal tribunal process continues to develop. Today, the Trial Chamber refused to declare an unqualified right to self-defense for Sam Hinga Norman. Careful drafting of the Special Court Statute certainly helped the Trial Chamber make this decision.

Unlike Milosevic, Norman was not granted much time to make his much awaited statement. Apparently, Milosevic had the opportunity to repeatedly contest the jurisdiction of the ICTY before his microphone was turned off.

I sense that the proceedings are pretty much over for this month. The next step is for the Registrar, in concert with the defense office, to procure a willing attorney or barrister for Norman.

The second consolidated case - against the Revolutionary United Front - is scheduled to begin on July 5th.