Posted on 08/08/2006 1:04:42 PM PDT by kronos77
WASHINGTON DC -- 25 U.S. Senators are asking that the U.S. president supports the democratically elected Serbian government.
The letter argues that Serbia’s role is of vital importance for the future of South-Eastern Europe and America’s regional interests and that Belgrade has grown into a strong U.S. regional partner.
“In order to help transform Serbia, the U.S. should support the reforms in the military and the security sectors, encourage cooperation with the Serbian Army and enabling its officers to attend military colleges and courses in the U.S.”, the letter said.
The Senators remind that it is Serbia’s strategic goal to join the European and the Euro-Atlantic community and state that the Serbian government has once again expressed its strong dedication to the regional stability when it accepted the democratic will of Montenegro to become independent. “However, extremist groups in Kosovo are attempting to pressure Serbia in a way that would lead to destabilization. Serbian authorities are asking that we do not withdraw our support at this vital moment. NATO led KFOR must stay in Kosovo until it is clear that the government there can provide security for all citizens”, the U.S. Senators said in their letter.
“We strongly urge you to support President Boris Tadić and the democratically elected Serbian government”, the letter concludes.
Didn't see your reply. Here's the response:
BBC story 1
BBC story 2BBC Jurist story 3
And here's a summary of all arrests and transfers: FAS
Serbia has jailed/transferred its entire political/military leadership to the Hague. So, yes, Serbia has done more to clean-up its own backyard than all the other sides combined.
-------<snip>-------
From BBC story 1: Ivan Nikolic charged, tried, and sentenced for crimes committed in Kosovo in 1999. 2 other unnamed individuals listed as charged with war crimes committed in Kosovo.
From BBC Story 2: 7 men charged with crimes committed in Bosnia in 1992.
Jurist story 3 talks about persons charged with aiding and abetting Ratko Mladic, an activity which falls outside a tally concerning your original claim.
Further, transferring individuals to the Hague also falls outside of your original claim, as the Hague was set up specifically because Serbia refused to try its own war criminals in the first place - the indifferent attitude of the Serbian government towards actually arresting Ratko Mladic, rather than calling on him to surrender voluntarily, tends to undercut your claim of Serbian law and order, um, -ness.
I'll throw you a bone add this to the count: 5 members of the Scorpions charged in Serbia for crimes in the aftermath of the fall of Srebrenica, and this, wherein 11 members of the Bosnian Serb police were tried in the RS for the murder of a Catholic Priest. (Acquitted, surprise.)
So back to your original claim - "Serbia and Republika Srpska have charged and tried more suspected war criminals than Croatia, Bosnia and the UN-occupied Kosovo put together.", with Serbia and the Republika Srpska coming in at 26 in this admittedly incomplete list.
Against that, have a look at War Crimes Trials Before The Domestic Courts Of Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically page 6, which sums up the activities of Bosnia's war crimes court.
3. Statistical Overview of Cases Proceeding Before the Domestic Courts of BiH
3.1. Overview
Since 1996, the ICTY RoR Unit received criminal files against a total of 5,789 persons suspected of war crimes.
By 29 September 2004, the Unit reviewed and provided categories against a total of 3,489 persons, referring them back to the domestic authorities. Of the cases referred back to the domestic authorities in accordance with the RoRs, 846 cases received “A” categorisation, 2,346 received “B” categorisation and 675 received “C” categorisation.
According to information available to the OSCE, from 1996 to the end of January 2005. Fifty-four category “A” cases (individual or group), against 94 defendants, have reached trial stage. This represents approximately 11 per cent of those referred back to BiH by the ICTY with category “A” status. The OSCE is aware of at least 44 cases against 73 accused (18 Bosniacs, 38 Croats, 17 Serbs) which are being actively investigated or are in the pre-trial phase. Of the trial cases, only two have proceeded in the RS (and two others were dismissed at some stage of the proceedings). The rest have been conducted in the FBiH. Forty-one cases, involving 50 defendants (27 Bosniacs, six Croats and 17 Serbs), have reached a final and binding verdict. Of these, there have been guilty verdicts, involving 30 defendants (14 Bosniacs, three Croats and 13 Serbs). Sentences of imprisonment have ranged from six months to 20 years. In addition to the cases with final verdicts, 17 more cases, involving 39 defendants (23 Bosniacs, nine Croats, seven Serbs), have reached a verdict at first instance and are currently in appeal procedure or being retried.
In 2004, there was a significant increase in the number of cases proceeding before the cantonal courts in the FBiH with little corresponding activity in the district courts in the RS. Fifteen war crimes trials, involving a total of 24 defendants (seven Bosniacs, ten Croats, seven Serbs) have reached first instance verdicts, all before the cantonal courts in the FBiH. Fifteen defendants were acquitted (seven in the Konjic 7, four in the Mostar 4 group case and four in individual cases). The sentences imposed for the other nine defendants who were found guilty have ranged from 18 months to 15 years of imprisonment. Fourteen cases, involving 34 defendants, are on-going and are also being monitored by the OSCE.
I hope you understand why it took me so long to get back to you - I didn't think you were being serious with either your initial claim or what you subsequently brought to the table to try and back it up.
Actions speak louder than words, and it doesn't matter what Serbia says - it's what Serbia does. Each and every one of those ex-gov't and ex-military officials who are in the Hague are there thanks to the Serbian Government. So, how many Muslim/Croat officials are there in the Hague? No, let me rephrase that - How many have been charged by the Hague?
Kindly admit that this statment is erroneous, and then explain how you came to post it in the first place.
Thanks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.