Georges Berghezan
12 décembre 2012
En l’espace de moins de quinze jours, le Tribunal de La Haye, jugeant les crimes commis pendant les guerres d’ex-Yougoslavie, a fait preuve d’une clémence inhabituelle en acquittant cinq prévenus. Point commun : ils étaient tous accusés d’avoir commis des crimes de guerre ou des crimes contre l’humanité à l’encontre de civils serbes.
Public UN Debate About The Hague Tribunal
Ad Hoc Tribunals Public Debate in the UN Scheduled for April 2013
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Vuk Jeremić has called a public debate for April 10, 2013 on the role and performance of international ad hoc criminal tribunals founded by the UN in achieving justice and reconciliation among nations.
Acquittal of Croat War Criminals Blow to the UN Reputation
The debate is a reaction to the decision of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Appeals Chamber to acquit former Croatian generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markač. In Jeremić’s opinion, the acquittal struck a blow to the UN’s reputation.
The decision of the Appeals Chamber of the Hague Tribunal related to Operation Storm understandably caused indignation in many parts of the world. It is an undeniable fact that about a quarter of a million Serbs were driven out of their homes in the space of only several days, and that the court, set up to investigate such misdeeds, in effect decided that no one was guilty or responsible. This could lead to a conclusion that no crime in fact took place, which evidently stands in contrast with reality, Jeremić said in the release.
Jeremić believes that a full understanding of the work of the ICTY and its consequences must be accessible to the wide international public, so that history can have the final say, and so that it never happens anywhere again that evil deeds are pardoned and declared a virtue.
He said that considering that the UN was the founder of ad-hoc courts, he had decided to schedule the public debate to discuss their performance and the level to which they fulfill their original purpose.
It is my personal opinion that the decision of the Appeals Chamber of the Hague Tribunal has dealt a blow to the reputation of the United Nations, but I allow for the possibility that as a member of the nation whose expulsion was legalized by this act, I may be somewhat subjective on this issue, said the UNGA president.
UN Debate Open to International Law Experts and Associations
The debate will be open not only to states, but also to the academic community, distinguished individuals and civil associations, Jeremić said.
Jeremić said he was strongly convinced that reconciliation and a fresh start in relations between feuding nations cannot be based on denial and glorification of crime, because that essentially represents an incentive for crimes to be repeated.
This is why I have scheduled a debate entitled ‘The role of the international judiciary in achieving reconciliation’ for April 10, 2013 at the UNGA in New York, concluded Jeremić.
Integral Text of Jeremić’s Release
The decision of the Hague Tribunal’s Appeals Chamber in regards to the Operation Storm caused understandable indignation in many parts of the world. It is an undeniable fact that about a quarter of a million Serbs were driven out of their homes in the space of only several days, and that the court, set up to investigate such crimes, in effect decided that no one was guilty or responsible for this act.
Subsequently, this could lead to a conclusion that in fact no crime took place, which evidently stands in contrast with reality.
I believe that the full insight in the workings of the Hague tribunal and its consequences must be accessible to the wide international public, in order to enable history to reach its final conclusion, and so that it never happens anywhere again that evil deeds are pardoned and declared a virtue.
This is why I have decided to exercise the powers of the President of the UN General Assembly and schedule a public debate about the role of the international ad hoc crime tribunals in attaining justice and reconciliation among the nations. Considering that the UN itself was the founder of ad hoc tribunals, I believe it is appropriate to discuss their performance right here, as well as debate about the degree to which such tribunals have fulfilled their initial purpose.
It is my personal opinion the decision of the Hague Tribunal’s Appeals Chamber has struck a blow to the UN reputation, but being a member of the nation whose expulsion from their homesteads was legalized by this act, I allow the possibility that I may be somewhat subjective on this issue.
For this reason, I will open the UN General Assembly Debate for the wide public and allow not only states, but also the academic community, distinguished individuals and civic associations to take part.
I am strongly convinced true reconciliation and turning a new page in relations between the feuding nations cannot be established upon denial and glorification of crimes, because that essentially represents an incentive for crimes to be repeated. This is why I have scheduled a debate entitled ‘The role of the international judiciary in achieving reconciliation’ for April 10, 2013 at the UNGA in New York.
Links to Related Articles in Serbian Media
Being that the information about the upcoming public UN debate doesn’t seem to deserve attention of the Western mainstream media, here is some of the coverage from the Serbian press (in English), including the early attempts to prevent the debate taking place:
Pocar: Fatal errors of ICTY - http://www.tanjug.rs/news/66648/pocar--fatal-errors-of-icty.htm
UNGA to hold public debate in wake of Hague ruling - http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2012&mm=11&dd=19&nav_id=83229
Jeremić: Pressure will not make me cancel debate - http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2012&mm=11&dd=20&nav_id=83248
Vuk Jeremić schedules debate on Hague Tribunal at UN - http://english.blic.rs/News//9223/Vuk-Jeremic-schedules-debate-on-Hague-Tribunal-at-UN
Hague judge says justice has not been served - http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2012&mm=11&dd=17&nav_id=83206
Malta News, Judge Carmel Agius
Judge hits out at ‘confusing, extremely problematic’ acquittal of Gotovina, Markac - http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/courtandpolice/Judge-hits-out-at-confusing-extremely-problematic-acquittal-of-Gotovina-Markac-20121117
Related PDF Documents, ICTY
Prosecutor v Ante Gotovina Mladen Markac, integral ICTY Appeals Chamber document - http://de-construct.net/e-zine/e-zine/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Prosecutor-v-Ante-Gotovina-Mladen-Markac.pdf
Dissenting Opinion of Judge Fausto Pocar - http://de-construct.net/e-zine/e-zine/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Dissenting-Opinion-of-Judge-Fausto-Pocar.pdf
Dissenting Opinion of Judge Carmel Agius - http://de-construct.net/e-zine/e-zine/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Dissenting-Opinion-of-Judge-Carmel-Agius.pdf
Kusturica: Gotovini da daju Nobela
VARAJU se oni koji misle da je na priču o generalu Gotovini stavljena tačka. Bojim se da nam se mogu desiti nova iznenađenja. Najviše zbog humanističkog karaktera međunarodne zajednice. Navikavala nas je na humanističke bombe, anđeoska ratovanja, na kraju, ona i njene organizacije su znale da nagrade čuvare svetskog mira.
Kada je u pitanju Gotovina, u Srbiji su, čak, i nevladine organizacije uzbuđene. Ali ne zbog Srba. Njih brine princip. Meni padaju na um ideje koje, siguran sam, nisu ideje međunarodne zajednice. Ja sam uveren da je tih 200.000 Srba počišćenih sa teritorije multietničke Hrvatske, završni čin delovanja dueta Starčević-Pavelić. Teoretičar i koljač nisu do kraja, u Drugom svetskom ratu, sproveli svoju ideju o uništenju srpskih civila. Starčević je stvorio ideju: trećinu Srba u Hrvatskoj pobiti, trećinu prevesti na katoličku veru i trećinu proterati. Ko se danas bavi trećinama. Ljudi su se okrenuli celinama, a među Hrvatima skoro da nema jedan koji misli da mi i ostatak sveta preterujemo sa brojevima. Engleske enciklopedije kažu da je u Jasenovcu ubijeno preko sedam stotina hiljada civila, uglavnom Srba. Ali, malo koji Hrvat u to veruje. I malo ko od njih može da poveruje da ovo što se desilo u ”Oluji” liči na završni akt delovanje tandema Starčević-Pavelić! Jer, sud je presudio da Gotovina nije kriv. Zašto bi neko razbijao glavu. U razmatranju ove odluke jedan od odlučujućih argumenata da je isterivanje Srba sa teritorije Hrvatske bilo neizbežno i da se time bavila međunarodna zajednica jeste ispovest američkog ambasadora Galbrajta iz vremena ”Oluje”. On kaže da je ”Oluja” morala doći na red zbog Srebrenice! Među Srbima ima onih koji idu tako daleko da čitavu stvar obrću naopačke. Sve suprotno od ovog Galbrajta. Kažu da je Srebrenica napravljena da bi se medijski pokrilo proterivanje Srba iz Hrvatske. Svašta nama Srbima pada na um. Čudan smo mi narod. I logika nam nikako ne miruje! Evo jednog primera! Šta može da bude komplikacija u donošenju odluke o dodeljivanju Nobelove nagrade Gotovini.Ne znamo šta je sve okačio o vrat sudija koji je onomad odrapio generalu Gotovini 24 godine zatvora. Mora da je bilo teško delo, ali ovaj što ga je raskačio sigurno ima viziju. Što je gore, on ništa nije uradio ako se sada čitava stvar zaustavi na oslobađanju. Lako se može desiti da odu dalje rukovodeći se svojim humanističkim idejama. Jer, ako je u ”Oluji” proterano više od 200.000 Srba sa teritorije Hrvatske, i to nije zločin i general je slobodan, onda mora da je u pitanju neko humano delo koje nam čini međunarodna zajednica. General nije u ”Oluji” pobio sve što je mrdalo ispred njega, a mogao je?! U tom slučaju, jasno je da ima materijala za Nobelov komitet za mir! Trebalo bi da ga nagrade za ono što je mogao da uradi, a nije. Davno su prošla vremena Majke Tereze i tipova koji trtljaju o humanosti i na terenu pomažu gubavim, leproznim i bolesnim. Mnogo je ljudi na planeti. Valja to počistiti! Nema više vremena za humanistička i egzistencijalistička naglabanja kao što su to činili sedamdesetih i osamdesetih. Sada je na snazi novi koncept. Kada si u prilici da pobiješ stotine hiljada ljudi, ubiješ samo par hiljada, odmah se kvalifikuješ za neku nagradu. Najbolje ako ti daju za mir. Zašto bi, onda, Nobelov komitet za mir čekao u slučaju Gotovine? Američki predsednik Obama, tek što je stupio na dužnost, poslao je samo 30.000 novih američkih vojnika u Avganistan i tako izrazio suzdržanost, državničku mudrost. Zbog toga mu Nobel nije mogao izmaći. Zamislite koliko je on ljudi mogao da pobije, a nije. Istina, u Avganistanu je bilo sporadičnih incidenata. Neko je snimio kako marinci ubijaju civile i pevaju ”baj baj ameriken paj”, ali to su samo izuzeci.
U zatvoru leži Milan Martić, srpski policajac koji se u Krajini borio za opstanak Srba u Hrvatskoj. On se opirao ideji etničkog čišćenja ali je, na kraju, optužen za etničko čišćenje! Eh, sada, pošto je Gotovina očistio Hrvatsku od Srba, Martić je optužen za etničko čišćenje Hrvata koji čine devedeset pet posto stanovništva Hrvatske?! Malo je nelogično. Verovatno će međunarodna zajednica posegnuti za novom logikom koju mi Srbi ne razumemo. Evropa je katolički projekat i cena ulaska u to društvo je visoka. Ona podrazumeva mnoštvo stvari koje mi nikada nećemo razumeti. Uostalom, neka mudre glave Nobelovog komiteta misle i donose svoje odluke bez pritisaka sa strane!
Kusturica: Gotovina the Next Nobel Peace Prize Laureate?
Those who think general Gotovina story ends here are mistaken. I’m afraid we are in for new surprises. Mostly due to the humanitarian character of the international community.
Humanitarian Character of the International Community
The international community has been accustomizing us to humane bombs and angelic forms of war. In the end, the international community and its organizations knew how to reward guardians of the world peace.
We don’t know what was all that for which the judge earlier blasted general Gotovina with 24 years in prison. It must have been a heavy crime. But this one who unblasted him now surely has a vision. What’s worse, he’s done nothing if the whole thing ends with acquittal. It can easily happen that they go further, guided by their humanitarian ideas.
Nobel for Gotovina: He could Have Killed 250,000 Serbs, but Killed Only Few Thousand
Because, if in [the Operation] Storm more than 200,000 Serbs were driven out from the territory of Croatia, and if that is not a crime and the general is free, then that must be some humane act bestowed to us by the international community. During The Storm the general didn’t wipe out everything that moved in front of him and he could have?! In that case, there is clearly material for the Nobel Peace Prize Comity! They should award him for what he could have done and didn’t do.
Long are gone the times of Mother Teresa and some guys gibbering about humanity, helping the leprous, plague-ridden and sick on the ground. There’s a lot of people on the planet. That needs to be cleansed. There’s no more time for the humanistic and existentialist prattle the way it was done in the seventies and eighties. A new concept is now in place: When you get a chance to kill hundreds of thousands of people and you kill only few thousand, you immediately qualify for some award. It’s best if they give you the one for peace. Why, then, would Nobel Comity for Peace wait in the case of Gotovina?
Why Obama Deserved His Nobel
As soon as he took over the office, American President Obama sent only 30,000 fresh American soldiers to Afghanistan, therefore demonstrating his restraint, a statesman wisdom. That is why the Nobel couldn’t have escaped him. Imagine how many people he could have killed, and didn’t. Indeed, there were sporadic incidents in Afghanistan. Someone taped marines killing civilians while singing Bye, bye American pie, but those are mere exceptions.
When it comes to Gotovina, even the NGOs in Serbia are roused. But not because of the Serbs, they are worried over the principle.
Operation Storm, the Final Act of Starčević-Pavelić Endeavor
I’m coming up with notions which, I’m sure, are not the notions of the international community. I am convinced that those 200,000 ethically cleansed Serbs from the territory of the multiethnic Croatia are the final act of the endeavor of Starčević-Pavelić duo.
The theorist and the slaughterer didn’t get to carry their idea of annihilation of the Serb civilians through to the end during the Second World War. Starčević created the concept: third of Serbs in Croatia to be killed, third to be converted to Roman Catholicism, and third to be driven out. Who can be bothered with thirds nowadays? Men have turned to the wholes. And there is hardly a single Croat today who doesn’t believe we and the rest of the world are exaggerating the numbers.
British encyclopedias say that over seven hundred thousand civilians, mainly Serbs, were killed in Jasenovac. But there is hardly a Croat who believes that. And very few of them think that what took place in The Storm looks like the final act of the work of Starčević-Pavelić twosome. Because the court decided Gotovina is not guilty. Why would anyone break their head trying to think it through?
Srebrenica Manufactured to Shift Media Attention from The Storm
In the consideration of this decision, one of the decisive arguments for the theory that expulsion of Serbs from the territory of Croatia was inevitable, which the international community was involved in, was the reminiscence of American ambassador Galbraith from the time Storm took place. He says that The Storm had to happen because of Srebrenica.
There are those among Serbs who go as far as turning the whole thing upside down. All contrary to this Galbraith. They say Srebrenica was manufactured in order to shift the media attention from the expulsion of Serbs from Croatia. The things we Serbs come up with! We are indeed a strange nation. And our logic never rests.
Martić Convicted for Ethnic Cleansing Committed by Gotovina
Here is one example: What could possibly complicate the decision to award Gotovina Nobel Peace Prize?
Milan Martić, Serb policeman who in Krajina fought for survival of Serbs in Croatia, is lying in prison. He resisted the ethnic cleansing, but in the end he was convicted for ethnic cleansing. So, now that Gotovina has cleansed Croatia of Serbs, Martić is convicted for ethnic cleansing of Croats who comprise ninety five percent of Croatia’s population. It’s kinda illogical. The international community will probably reach for the kind of logic we Serbs can’t comprehend.
High Price for Joining the Roman Catholic EU Project
Europe is a Roman Catholic project and the price of entering that club is high. It incorporates plenty of things we shall never understand.
After all, let the wise heads of the Nobel Comity ponder and make their decisions without interference from the outside.
Editor’s note
In 2008, a year before Barack H. Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel Comity’s Laureate was an obscure Finish politician Martti Ahtisaari, whose only mention-worthy act in the entire career was breaking up of Serbian state and gifting southern Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohija to Albanians. He was given the highest award despite the evidence provided by the German BND that he received over 40 million Euros in bribe from Albanians to create the infamous ‘Ahtisaari Plan’, which was meant to finalize amputation of the Serbian province.
The Hague has been faithfully goose-stepping in tune in regards to the war crimes committed by Albanians as well, and has yesterday acquitted Ramush Haradinaj too, an Albanian war criminal.
http://www.skoj.org.rs/110.html
HARADINAJ JE ZLOČINAC – ODMAH RASPUSTITI IMPERIJALISTIČKI HAŠKI SUD
Savez komunističke omladine Jugoslavije (SKOJ) najoštrije protestuje protiv skandalozne odluke imperijalističkog Haškog tribunala da oslobodi osvedočenog ratnog zločinca Ramuša Haradinaja.
Pored toga što je ratni zločinac, Haradinaj je terorista, pro-imperijalistički kvisling, antijugosloven i izdajnik sopstvenog albanskog naroda na Kosovu i Metohiji koga je u sadejstvu sa
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