FM Bob Carr: Melinda Taylor's Freedom Lies on ICC Hands
The ball on the Melinda Taylor affair is now on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) hands as Foreign Minister Bob Carr said on Tuesday that an apology coming from the court could soon win the release of the detained Aussie lawyer and her ICC co-workers.
Mr Carr reported that he met Monday with Libya's Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib and Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdel Aziz, both of whom reportedly signalled interests "in wrapping up this distracting and distressing affair as soon as possible."
In an interview with ABC, Mr Carr strongly suggested that the ICC leadership "issue a statement that addresses the concerns of Libyan authorities."
Part of the Libyan concerns was aired on Saturday by Mr Aziz when he told Reuters that mere cooperation coming from both the ICC and Ms Taylor could resolve the diplomatic crisis, the highest profile so far since Libya saw its long-time strongman, Muammar Gaddafi, deposed last year.
Mr Carr said that his talk with the two top Libyan official gave him the impression that "Libyan leadership are not being unreasonable in this," adding that like Australia and the rest of the international community, Tripoli would want to see this 'misunderstanding' get to an easy end real soon.
Issuing a formal apology, Mr Carr said, "would be a very sensible path for the (ICC leadership) to take."
Ms Taylor and three other ICC workers have been detained in Zintan for close to two weeks following their visit to Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan leader.
The ICC provides legal services to Seif for his defence against the charges being pursued by the new Libyan government but Zintan officials had alleged that Ms Taylor was passing on secret information to the Gaddafi son during the ICC team's visit.
Ms Taylor and her team was then arrested, with Libyan authorities announcing shortly that they would be kept behind bars for at least 45 days for investigators to determine the circumstances of what really happened during the Zintan incident.
But for Mr Carr, the whole episode was a case of misunderstanding between Libyan officials and the ICC, which could have been avoided if ICC lawyers were properly oriented with protocols and procedures prior to their deployment in the north African nation.
"Without that, I believe the ICC team were left somewhat exposed to those misunderstandings," the foreign minister said.
He remains hopeful though that diplomatic solutions would prevail in the end and an ICC apology should "open the way to a release of the detainees which is what we Australians want for so much."
If required, Australia is prepared to facilitate a likely discussion on the matter between the ICC and Libyan authorities, Mr Carr said.
He also expressed confidence that Ms Taylor will soon be freed and the only missing link is the action coming from the ICC leadership, hinting too "that the judicial investigation is complete."
Australia has been ramping up its efforts to win Ms Taylor's freedom, with the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reporting on Tuesday that Prime Minister Julia has personally appealed on the Italian government to intervene on Canberra's behalf.
Italy has a long-standing economic ties with Libya and is perceived to enjoy access with the central authorities in Tripoli.