Politically, it makes sense to be an exponent of justice.
To minimize the risks involved, the court must make sure the lawyers it appoints mount a vigorous defense.
This reluctance to press Nigeria to hand over Taylor fosters a double standard that betrays the people of Sierra Leone,
However, all arrangements for witness protection must be consistent with fair trial guarantees.
This could have a chilling effect on the willingness of competent lawyers to vigorously defend the accused and that could have a fatal effect on the fairness and effectiveness of the trial.
I think there is a danger ... of this spinning out of control,
I think there have been real difficulties and problems in the Milosevic trial. What will be important is the evidence that was presented to indicate the motivation and intent of Milosevic.
We call on all governmental and inter-governmental actors in West Africa to ensure Taylor promptly appears for trial. The U.N. peacekeeping forces in Liberia and Sierra Leone will need to play their role to ensure justice can be done while stability in West Africa is maintained.
It's the victims that matter most, those who lost relatives, those who suffered. They must feel closure. If the trial's not fair and open, that satisfaction will not result.
In the face of provocative outbursts, the judge has to be firm but not trigger-happy in applying sanctions if fairness is going to be respected.
