Tragic Coincidence

This is the fourth case when the killer of soldiers died "suddenly in the presence of the authorities.'' On the other hand, it is the first time that the authorities claimed that such outcome was the only possible way to prevent killing of victims since ``the killer was armed and ready to use his weapon in any moment against anyone in his way.''

At about 3 a.m. on September 3, Aziz Kelmendi shot four soldiers dead, and wounded another five in the "Branko Krsmanovic'' army barracks in Paracin. The perpetrator fled armed with a rifle. Military authorities later reproted that Kelmendi had committed suicide.

This case was used for widespread politicisation and inspiring hostile atmosphere towards the citizens of the Albanian nationality. On December 9, 1987, the Military Court in Nis institutied criminal proceedings against 8 accessories to Kelmendi. After 11 days of the trial a five member council of the Military Court found them guilty of helping Kelmendi and sentenced them to between 2 and 14 years in prison. Responding to the complaint lodged by the prosecutor, their sentences were extended to 20 years.

In 1993 two big tragedies took place in the army barracks of the Yugoslav Army (VJ). 8 soldiers were killed and one wounded.

The first occurred in the "Juznomoravskih brigada'' army barracks in Vranje on June 3, 1993. Nineteen-year-old soldier Josef Menader escaped from the garrison prison, killed 7 of his fellow soldiers and wounded another four. After that Menader committed suicide.

The murder in Vranje prompted both the federal and the republican government to schedule extraordinary sessions of their cabinets. The next day, the Serbian Government issued an announcement demanding that "a thorough investigation be launched and that all who are responsible for failing to take security measures be severely punished.''

The Socialist Party of Serbia in Cacak requested the resignation of the then Defense Minister Zivota Panic because of the tragedy. The Socialists from Bajmok (near Subotica) attacked Andras Agoston, the leader of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Vojvodina (DZVM) and Bela Tonkovic, the leader of the Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina (DZHV), claiming that the crime "is a result of the policy conducted and spread be DZVM and DZHV.''

Another massacre took place only five days later, on June 8, 1993. In the "Mika Mitrovic'' army barracks in Sabac when relieving a sentry twenty oneyearold soldier Nandor Kis killed one soldier, wounding another one, after which he committed suicide.

This short review of murders in the Yugoslav Army military barracks provides some parallels if not rules common to all cases. All soldiers who committed murders were of nonSerb nationality, and did their military service aged between 17 and 20. All, except one, were children of divorced parents. None of them was caught alive. The murderers committed suicide after killing. In the case of the latest killing in the army barracks in Mladenovac it was the first time it was announced that the murderer had been liquidated. All those who were involved in the murders were severely punished (from 2 to 15 years in prison). Not one officer of the Yugoslav Army has ever been held responsible for any of the murders that have taken place in this army's barracks. In those cases when legal proceeding were initiated to establish responsibility, they would last as long as the case sank into oblivion. The officers were later granted an amnesty and cleared of responsibility for whatever took place in the army barracks. On the other hand, each of these tragedies was exploited for political purposes: the authorities would use the incident to accuse the political representatives and the parties representing national minorities of the lack of loyalty and dangerous intents, while these responded by demanding that those who have political control over the army take responsibility for the tragedies.

Three days after private Dejan Mitrovic and soldier Goran Filipovic were killed the Department of Information of the Headquarters of the Yugoslav Army issued an announcement which said that, "Saban Bajrami, the murderer on the run, who had escaped from the "Sajmiste'' army barracks in Mladenovac was liquidated.''

This is the fourth case when the killer of soldiers died "suddenly in the presence of the authorities.'' On the other hand, it is the first time that the authorities claimed that such outcome was the only possible way to prevent killing of victims since "the killer was armed and ready to use his weapon in any moment against anyone in his way.''

Praises

Vendi is fabulous! This is the title of an article published by the Belgrade daily "Vecernje Novosti.'' It says that "Olga Petrovic, a great humanist and organiser of a number of charity performances, recently organised a concert for the soldiers at the ``Jakovo'' army barracks near Belgrade.'' Quite a few performers took part but "the young soldiers were really thrilled by Vesna Vukelic, nicknamed Vendi, a sex star.'' The star confirmed this by saying, " They were so exhilarated that they wouldn't let me leave the hall. They broke through the first row of chairs. I had a hard time making it to the bus. But, when I got there I had to send them thousands of kisses so that we could move on.''

The Yugoslav Army (VJ) is successfully introducing new traditions in the "Jakovo'' army barracks: at the beginning of October last year, Vesna Radovanovic, a prophetess and an oriental dance performer, was awarded a certificate signed by the army barracks commander, Lieutenant Colonel Vitomir Djordjevic (the facsimile is published by "Srpska rec,'' the weekly edited by Danica Draskovic, the wife of Vuk Draskovic, the leader of the Serbian Renewal Movement.)

Saban Bajrami, who killed two soldiers in the meantime, received basic military training in these army barracks.