Bellemare Leaves Beirut Vowing to Do Everything for the Truth
Daniel Bellemare, the Head of the U.N. International Independent Investigation Commission left Beirut Friday evening for a short trip to Paris before heading to The Hague to assume his post as public prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
Earlier Friday, Bellmare told the Lebanese people in an open letter that he will do everything to ensure that the truth emerges and that those responsible for the investigated crimes be brought to justice.
The following is the full text of the letter addressed by Bellemare near the end of UNIIIC mandate and the launching of the tribunal”s operations:
The process initiated by the Lebanese Government on behalf of its People with the support of the international community to put an end to impunity in the country will soon take a historic turn.
On 28 February 2009, the mandate of the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission will come to an end after almost four years of intensive work,
On that date, an important phase in the history of the promotion of justice and the rule of law concludes. March 1, 2009, will mark another historical milestone that is the launching of the operations of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
Both events will undeniably find their place in the history of Lebanese and international justice. The United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission is unique. It is the first of its kind and is precedent-setting in many ways.
Like any new process, it was not perfect. But we adjusted and found solutions where none existed. And as we close down our doors, we will leave behind a series of lessons learned for others to benefit if needed. But one thing remains beyond any doubt: the reason for which it was created, that is to help the people of Lebanon find the truth and put an end to impunity is a noble cause that deserves our commitment and collective effort.
On the eve of our departure, I am more aware than ever of the hopes that the People of Lebanon have entrusted in us. I am also aware of the fears and doubts that an unknown process generates.
As I have mentioned before, public confidence, both in the process and in the institution, are essential to the success of our mandate. We will continue our partnership with the media in promoting public confidence. Our doors will continue to be open to the media in order to assist its representatives in conveying accurate facts upon which their public can make up their own mind.
I did not want to leave Lebanon without addressing the People directly to tell you that the end of the Commission”s mandate is simply the end of a chapter. It is not the end of our mission. Our work continues. With renewed ardor and determination.
We are strongly committed to the mandate that the People of Lebanon has given us through the Security Council. We will not be deterred by the obstacles or the size of the challenge. We are persistent. We will go wherever the evidence leads us. We will leave no stone unturned.
Our investigative work will now continue from The Hague, in The Netherlands. But the Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon will have a field office in Beirut. It will serve as a base for the investigators who will undertake regular missions to Lebanon to collect evidence and to meet with Lebanese Officials and witnesses as required.
I want to thank the Lebanese Authorities for the valuable assistance and the cooperation they extended to the Commission and I know that the Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon can count on the same level of cooperation.
I also want to express my deepest gratitude to the People of Lebanon who have, since 2005, offered their hospitality and support to the Commission. I want to salute their courage and resilience in the face of adversity and their resolve to make a better future for their nation for the generations to come. We learned a lot from Lebanon and its people.
My commitment to you is to serve the cause of justice on the basis of a principled approach based solely on facts and evidence. Like the Commission, the Office of the Prosecutor will not be influenced by any political consideration. Justice can not and should not be used as a political tool. Like the Commission”s work, the findings of the OTP investigations and the steps I would take as the Prosecutor, as well as the outcome of the STL should not be prejudged or speculated upon.
The STL is not after revenge: it is after justice. Everybody, be they witnesses, detainees or accused, will be treated with dignity. Justice requires no less. Dignity is the hallmark of a credible and humane Justice process.
Lastly, I want to reassure everybody that my team and I will do everything that is humanly and legally possible to ensure that the truth emerges and that those responsible for the crimes that fall within our jurisdiction are eventually brought to justice.
This objective should not only be that of the Office of the Prosecutor, but it should also be the common and resolute goal of the People of Lebanon.