Issue 473 - January 13, 2001

In 2001 the question of whether the former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic should stand trial is no longer publicly raised. The main dilemma is, or so it seems, where he will be tried – although a more low-key debate is ongoing on what charges Milosevic should primarily answer for. There are a few possibilities, of which all are more or less complicated

If Milosevic was to be tried in Belgrade, his guilt would consist of war policies, and war crimes would be only one of the consequences of those policies. There is also the question of his plundering policies, and policies of internal violence and holding on to power by force. Serbia is practically begging for such a trial. Without it, it is practically impossible to truly close Milosevic’s chapter, reemerge out of the nightmare of the last decade and move on

“The Chief of the Special Police Unit refused to drive the critically injured Arkan to hospital. Despite Ceca’s (tr. Arkan’s wife’s) insistence. The driver’s chief also ordered the driver not to make a move. And it was still not clear whether the wounded will survive. The Police refused to help the man who was addressed by police generals as ‘commander’ and for whom they had plenty of respect”

The long ignored story about the consequences of the use of radioactive ammunition has now emerged on the agenda. How extensive will be the collateral damage this time?

‘It is true that compensation for a bad economic policy and difficult social situation can be found in mass arrests, which would not be good. However, some arrests cannot be postponed. By that I mean the arrest of Mr. Milosevic’