PROFIL: President Thaci's lawyer is former senior US official Pierre-Richard Prosper

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci will conduct an interview today before the special prosecutor of Specialised Chambers at The Hague. At this meeting, Thaci will be protected by US lawyer Pierre-Richard Prosper.

Pierre-Richard Prosper, born September 19, 1963, is an American lawyer, prosecutor and former official of the American government. He served as Special Ambassador for War Crimes Issues by the administration of former US President George W. Bush in 2001-05.

Prosper is a graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law. He served as Deputy Attorney of the District in Los Angeles to continue as assistant General of the United States, in the California District.

From 1996 to 1998, Prosper has served as war crimes prosecutor at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. He was appointed the presiding prosecutor of the first case ever of genocide under the 1948 Genocide Crime Convention for Prevention and Punishment. In addition to winning the case after 14 months of trial, Prosper brought innovation to international law, where he convinced the tribunal to recognise sexual rape in times of conflict as a genocide act and crime against humanity.

Prosper has also served in the Department of Justice, State Department.

In 2001, Prosper was nominated by US President George W. Bush for Special Ambassador for War Crimes Issues. After being confirmed by the Senate, Prosper was sworn in on July 13, 2001, and served until 2005. As the president's envoy and senior diplomat, Proper has travelled around the world, where he has held diplomatic negotiations and consultation with heads of state, foreign ministers and other senior government officials in 60 different states. He has also worked with foreign parliaments and multilateral and international organisations to build support for United States policies.

He has regularly visited conflict zones in an effort to bring peace, stability, and rule of law. In this capacity, Ambassador Prosper has formulated and co-ordinated US reactions to horrors and attacks on civilians worldwide.

Prosper has reported directly to State Secretarys Colin Powell and Condolezza Rice, as well as to the President of the United States of America, Secretary of Defence, Prosecutor General, National Security Adviser, CIA Director and other senior officials of the American government.

Prosper was also nominated for a position on the United Nations Human Rights Committee by Ambassador Nicky Haley.

Currently, Prosper is a partner in the Arent Fox LLP company, with offices in Los Angeles, where he's dealt with many high profile cases.