Slobodan Milosevic Trial

[Rick van Opbergen]

I thought, lets start a thread about the Milosevic trial in The Hague. It's still going on, there has been some controversy about it(although a lot of that went unnoticed). Currently former Soviet premier Nikolai Ryzhkov is testifying at the Tribunal. This is what went on (translated from a Dutch article):

Ryzhkov: 800,000 mercenaries in Albania

THE HAGUE (ANP) - Separatists and terrorists fighting an armed struggle in Kosovo were trained in Albania during the '90s. There were 800,000 mercenaries, some from the Middle East.

That was what ex-premier Ryzhkov of the former Soviet-Union said Monday at the Milosevic trial in front of the Yugoslavian Tribunal. Chairing judge Robinson didn't seem to believe the number of 800,000, but Ryzhkov said he had sources which could underline his words. Earlier the ex-premier declared he based his words on information he recieved from the Russian ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs.

According to Ryzhkov, Kosovo seperatism was financed "partly by powers from Europe, partly by powers from the Middle East". The weapons were delivered "from Germany and other countries".

 

[sj007]

ow some big conspiracy brewin up in there

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

I don't know what to think, what I personally think is that Milosevic is guilty of a lot of things, but there seem to be a lot of sidemarks. That's why this thread.

 

[sj007]

its hard to judge ppl that were in huge political positions ccuz u have to get in to who helped them get there etc. the US certainly helped saddam in the 1990's but we dont hear about that much ...

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

Before people start complaining about the US: focus on Milosevic. Does anyone have some good information about sj007's question who put Milosevic into power? Or was he a "self-made man"?

 

[sj007]

well first of all rick im not complaining about the US im just using it as an example

 

[Scape]

As Milosevic sits in jail, allies regaining power

Slobodan Milosevic sits in a jail cell at the U.N. war crimes tribunal in the Netherlands, but his political allies are back in power in many Serbian towns, and are consolidating key positions in the army and police.

The resurgence threatens to draw Serbia, the dominant republic in the Serbia-Montenegro union, further away from its proclaimed goal of one day joining the European Union and NATO. And some fear it could spell trouble for the stability of the Balkans.

This is why Slobodan is not being as vigeriously persecuted as he should be. This is alarming, after Slobodan was forced out there was a backlash from organized crime and they killed the elected president. This rallied the pro-democracy movement but distracted them from the old guard not only slipping away but regrouping and reclaiming their old positions. Is this all happening all over again? Very possible. Will Europe do something this time? Very unlikly.

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

I know, but I know some others who would immediately start about US involvement in Iraq It was not my intension of accusing you of something ...

 

[sj007]

ah its fine i agree but i wuz just helping ppl understand, i though

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

Interesting article Scape, I was not aware of that. But how should the EU react on this? When they are democratically elected, what can you exactly do, taking in consideration they don't openly seem to be a threat?

 

[sj007]

it could be considered conpiracy... i think if they were planning something that is

 

[Scape]

Not openly a threat? The legacy of Slobodan alone is destabilizing enough. Now his cronies are back in power to the very position that allowed the bloodbath in Yugoslavia possible in the 1st place. I don't think Europe can react given their stance on Iraq. They are hoping the whole thing just goes away if they ignore it long enough. Proactive action by Europe may very well be needed here rather than letting history repeat itself.

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

But how strong are the indications that Yugoslavia will totally turn into chaos when "we" do not react? According to the article, some critics predict that the expending influence of Milosevic's "allies" can instabilize the area. This sounds utterly vague. And how should we react? To what extent will the Serb people accept foreign powers to influence their politics?

 

[sj007]

i have a question Scape why would europes stance affect thier stance on Yougoslavia

 

[Scape]

Ideally the people who were involved should never be allowed to regain power but unfortunately that simply is not possible. Police, Armies, communications and bridges are needed and the local people with the skills are the same people who have blood on their hands. Iraq had the same problem with it's army when the US was hiring Generals from Saddams army to keep the peace.

It is difficult to explain. I have friends who are in Serbia who are very concerned about the current turn of events. Consider this, a policeman rapes a women and is convicted only after a long, painful and costly legal battle that drags her name through the mud, she is publicly humiliated and disgraced. After 3 years he is freed and is given his old job back. Will he rape her again? It is a crime that he was even allowed his own position never mind that he is guilty and mostly got away with it while the victim is punished severely. Do you think she will take him to trial again?

Europe policy toward Iraq will have many implications on how it will react at home. Frances involvement in Cote d'Ivoire will only expand to Liberia and endless wars of colonialism. Everyone knows this and desperately wants to avoid it. So they are married to the policy of non-unilateralism. Right or wrong, unless invaded they will not commit for they know once they start they can not stop.

 

[sj007]

i see thx for explaining it to me

 

[Paranoid Dot Calm]

The Indictment "Kosovo"
Factual allegations:
http://www.un.org/icty/latest/index.htm

Archive for the MILOSEVIC CASE
("Kosovo, Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina")
http://www.un.org/icty/latest/index.htm

Milosevic Trial Timeline
Sept. 2, 2004
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/balkans/milosevic_timeline.html

NATO forces behind International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague
By Christopher Black
http://www.iacenter.org/nato_black.htm

The Long Trial
By Don Murray
September 09, 2004
http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_murray/20040909.html