ICTY and ICJ Decisions Expected

July 20, 2010

The U.S. Embassy in Pristina advises U.S. citizens in Kosovo that the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are expected to announce decisions this week in cases related to Kosovo. 

On Wednesday, July 21, 2010, the ICTY will render its judgment in the appeals case of Ramush Haradinaj, Idriz Balaj, and Lahi Brahimaj, three former commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). 

On Thursday, July 22, 2010, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will deliver its advisory opinion on the question "Is the unilateral declaration of independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo in accordance with international law?" 

While the U.S. Embassy in Pristina has no information at this time that any demonstrations or other unrest will occur following either court decision, you should be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to local news media coverage of these events.  Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable; you should avoid them if possible, but maintain vigilance if within the vicinity of protests. 

You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy’s website.  You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.  If you don’t have internet access, we have a call center for updates --1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

We encourage U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website.  U.S. Embassy Pristina is located at 30 Nazim Hikmet St. in the Arberia/Dragodan area of Pristina. The telephone number is (381) 38-5959-3000.  You may also contact the consular section of Embassy Pristina via e-mail.  U.S. Embassy Skopje is located at Samilova 21, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia.  The Embassy can also be reached via telephone (389) (2) 310-2000, and via the consular section’s e-mail.