Reactions

Momir Bulatovic on Trifunovic

I find it difficult to comment the appeal of the public. General Trifunovic, whom I personally have not met, had, I would say, the bad luck to have been subjected to court proceedings. It is not easy for anyone who finds himself in conflict with the law, however, those proceedings should in effect be concluded, after which the Supreme Defence Council can look over all the relevant facts.

(President Momir Bulatovic's answer to a question posed by VREME's journalist - What do you as a member of the Supreme Council of Defense think about the public's appeal "Freedom for General Trifunovic")

 

Such a Country...

A country which, even though it had not participated in the war, and therefore believes that it neither won nor lost that war, yet a country which has war criminals - such a country should not keep a general in prison who had understood everything on time.

Dusan Velickovic, editor-in-chief of the NIN weekly

 

Law and War Customs

At a time when names of those who had seriously violated the laws and customs of war are being called out from The Hague - it is strange, to say the least, that we have, in local jails, people languishing away who had refused to violate those laws and customs. Due to that, I find it natural to join in the appeal of VREME for the release from prison of General Trifunovic and his colleagues.

Mirko Klarin, "Nasa Borba" editor

 

War Days

NTV Studio B has heartily joined VREME's appeal for the release of General Trifunovic and his colleagues from jail. On its side, NTV Studio B is preparing a documentary in which we shall broadcast exclusive footage of the Varazdin war days, at the time when General Trifunovic was in Varazdin. That will enable everyone, on the spot, to see what was really happening and how, in fact, that war was led...

Zoran Matic, editor of the NTV Studio B News Desk

 

Turning Point Towards Peace

In connection to General Trifunovic's case, we had reacted publicly on a number of previous occasions. We are now backing VREME's action for uniting all initiatives for the release of General Trifunovic and Colonels Radusko and Popov, which would be a sure sign that the regime seriously believes in the turning point towards peace and that it holds the critical public in esteem.

In Belgrade, December 17, 1995

(Group for Peaceful Actions "M" from Pancevo; Movement for Peace - Pancevo; Anti-war Action Center - Ada; Democratic Forum for the Protection of Human Rights and International Relations - Podgorica; "Isidora" Center for Women - Pancevo; Society for Peace and Tolerance - Backa Palanka; Sombor's Peace Group; Board for the Protection of Human Rights - Pristina; Center for Non-Violent Ways of Resolving Conflicts - Nis; Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia; Group "Living in Sarajevo"; Belgrade Circle; Belgrade Center for Human Rights; Sandzak Committee for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedom; "ZUC" Women in Black Against War - Belgrade; Eco-Urban Workshop; Democratic Center Foundation; Movement for the Peace of Vojvodina - Becej; Eco-Center - Belgrade; Autonomous Women's Center Against Sexual Violence - Belgrade; Civic Library - Zrenjanin; European Movement in Serbia; monthly Republika;, Anti-War Action Center)

 

Open Letter to Zoran Lilic

Mr. President,

For four years now, three officers of the Varazdin Corps have been in prison, only because they had made a sensible and rational decision - to spare the city of devastation and to save the lives of the civilian population and their soldiers. In 1991, that wasn't in keeping with Serbia's official policies, on account of which General Trifunovic, Colonel Raduski and Colonel Popov were indicted for "treason and undermining the country's military capabilities".

At the time, General Momcilo Perisic was military commander of the territories around Mostar, which became one of the most devastated cities in this war, and whose executioner, as "punishment", was given the highest military position in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Following the army's withdrawal from Slovenia, the barracks in Varazdin became the most northern point of the regular army of the then already former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Taking into account the weakness of the personnel (around 260 soldiers) and the fact that they were totally surrounded by the police force of the Republic of Croatia, any resistance would have been equal to suicide, therefore making the salvation of young lives the most sensible decision at that moment.

Since Trifunovic, Raduski and Popov were sentenced because they refused to follow the orders whose execution would mean a crime against the civilian population, the sentence that was handed down is groundless.

The Civic Youth Association, with this letter, has joined the weekly VREME action with the demand that, as soon as possible, you decide to pardon the officers of the Varazdin corps.

The Civic Alliance - Youth Association

 

Blindfold and Handcuffs

When and where shall a trial be held against people who are responsible for the death of two hundred thousand people, for the massive devastation, for the thousands of unfortunate destroyed lives? It is not known. What were the trials and sentences like for the three officers who managed to return two hundred draftees to their mothers, at the same time keeping their honor intact? That is known. Themis, the goddess of justice, is represented with a blindfold and with scales, a symbol of a just distribution of power. Prove that the Serbian Themis is not intoxicated by hatred, prove that the authorities have not managed to replace the blindfold over her eyes with handcuffs on her hands.

Freedom for Trifunovic, Raduski and Popov!

Vladan Radoman, author