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Dutch premier urges Russia to "allow latitude" for setting up UN tribunal on MH17

Xinhua, July 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called Russian President Vladimir Putin once again on Wednesday morning and urged him to "allow latitude" for setting up a United Nations tribunal to try those responsible for the crash of flight MH17.

In their "open and detailed conversation", Rutte once again drew the Russian leader's attention to the proposal submitted by Malaysia for a resolution establishing a UN tribunal to try those suspected of perpetrating the MH17 air disaster, according to a Dutch government statement.

"Rutte urged the Russian president to allow latitude for trying those responsible for the MH17 disaster in a UN tribunal," said the Dutch government.

The UN Security Council is to vote on the resolution on Wednesday evening in New York. Dutch Foreign minister Bert Koenders is to address the Security Council at Wednesday's session.

Two weeks ago when Rutte called him over the same issue, Putin had expressed opposition, saying that calls for such a tribunal are counterproductive.

In Wednesday call, Rutte specifically addressed Russia's doubts about the timing and form of the tribunal, stating that the Netherlands had carefully listened to Russia's earlier questions. He stressed that it was preferable to make a decision about the tribunal before the facts and charges have been established precisely in order to avoid politicising the prosecution process.

In addition, there will be plenty of scope for states to provide information to the tribunal, which will be bound by the highest international standards of independence and legitimacy, said the Dutch government.

Rutte spoke to Prime Minister Razak of Malaysia about the resolution on Tuesday and the Dutch government has been reaching out to other leaders as well.

The Malaysia Airlines plane was brought down on July 17, 2014 when it was flying over the warzone in east Ukraine en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, killing all 298 people on board, 196 of whom were Dutch. The Netherlands plays a leading role in the international investigation of the incident. Enditem