September 15, 2009 - Naharnet - Bellemare: We Will Knock 4 Generals' Doors if we Find Evidence Against Them

The Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Daniel Bellemare, said the four generals, who were released from Roumieh prison in April, could be called to appear at the court if evidence was found against them in the case of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination."We will knock on their doors if we have evidence against them," Bellemare told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in an interview published Tuesday.In answering a question as to whether the four generals would be summoned to the court, Bellemare said: "The answer is simple. The generals haven't been prosecuted in order to be found innocent. They were released because we don't have enough evidence against them to keep them in prison."Bellemare told al-Hayat at his office near The Hague that the biggest challenge to his job is his security and of those working in his team.He said he has a big security force that accompanies him wherever he goes. "The one who committed these crimes is a professional group that hides facts skillfully."The Canadian judge denied that a date has been set to indict the criminals or announce the results of the investigation.About non-cooperation by some states with the probe into Hariri's Feb. 2005 murder, Bellemare said: "There are procedures to urge them to speed up their response."He hinted that he could take the issue to the United Nations "after all efforts were exerted."Bellemare told al-Hayat that he was satisfied with the Lebanese government's cooperation and that he wasn't worried about financial contributions to the tribunal.He added that Americans have made more financial contributions since the election of President Barack Obama, who has stressed support for the court's functioning.The prosecutor unveiled that the STL's president, Judge Antonio Cassese, will issue in two weeks a report that does not include any reference to an indictment in the Hariri case.Bellemare snapped back at those accusing the court of being politicized, saying those making the accusations without proof should present their evidence to the court. He added that he would resign if he felt there was political influence on the STL's functioning.He also refused to comment on the report issued by Deir Spiegel several months ago, which accused Hizbullah of involvement in Hariri's murder. "I don't reply to claims," Bellemare stressed.Meanwhile, the STL's Registrar, David Tolbert, who assumed his post last month following Robin Vincent's resignation, told An Nahar daily that all of the tribunal's institutions enjoy full independence in their work.He said in the interview that the court's functioning has nothing to do with preparations for the courtroom, which is expected to be ready in February or March next year.Tolbert urged the Lebanese people to "be patient and let justice take its course."