HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------[Well, it is interesting to see the spin that the NYT has put on the Milosevic trial. More interesting is the attempt to build up Plavsic's persona by portraying her as an upstanding individual ready to come clean. Plavsic was always an uncompromising racist (forwarding crude biological theories on the inferiority of Bosnian Muslims), pro-American dupe and rabidly anti-Milosevic (who in her mind was hopelessly "red"). She headed the Banja Luka regime in 1996-1997 that supressed the generalized Serbian uprising against NATO occupation in Bosnia (the main weapons where rocks, as some SDS leaders loyal to Karadzic even urged the Serbs to adopt the techniques of the first Palestinian intifadah!). Plavsic was aslo instrumental in ensuring NATO control over the airwaves in the RS, during the dramatic struggle over who would control radio and tv relay stations in the Republic during the same period. She represents that section of Serbian leaders - and their followers - who revel in playing the role of ultranationalist slaves to fascist fuckhead imperialists, from Stojadinovic, ZBOR, and the Nedic regime during the 1930s and 1940s - and I might add fascist Chetnik faction leaders like Ljotic (southern Serbia) and Djurisic (Montenegro), to todays neoliberal fascisms of Plavsic, Dodik, Djindjic, Djukanovic, Draskovic, etc. It is worth remembering Milosevic's words during that famous "meeting" in April 24-25, 1987 when he was sent by the Communist Party to listen to the complaints of Kosovo's minorities, which were facing a campaign of persecution. The meeting lasted well into the night (this quote came after he had made the statement that "the police cannot beat the people" outside the building, and everyone had returned to the hall to continue the debate):
"[W]e must not allow that the tragedies of the people are exploited by the nationalists [here he is specifically refering to Serbian nationalists], against whom every honest man must offer their opposition. We must preserve brotherhood and unity as we do the pupils in our eyes. Because only through this, even today when brotherhood and unity is under attack, can we win. Neither do we want, nor can we divide people into Serbs and Albanians, but we must make a division between honest and progressive people who are fighting for broherhood and unity and national equality on the one hand, and the nationalists and those who are for counter-revolution on the other. Friends, if we don't create and strenghten that front, there will be no Kosovo, no Serbia and no Yugoslavia." (Slobodan Milosevic, "Godine Raspleta" 1990, p.140)]
In a message dated 10/3/02 3:34:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Bosnia Serb Leader Pleads Guilty to The Hague
Biljana Plavsic became the first high official to express
remorse publicly for the war and bloodshed in the Balkans.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/international/europe/03HAGU.html?todaysheadlines
Ex-Bosnian Serb Leader Enters Guilty Plea to The Hague
By MARLISE SIMONS
The decision by the official, Biljana Plavsic, the former Bosnian Serb president, opens the door for her potentially crucial testimony against Slobodan Milosevic, the former president of Yugoslavia, or other leaders involved in the 1992-95 Bosnian war.
As part of the plea agreement, all other charges against Mrs. Plavsic, who was not in court for her plea, will be dropped, including genocide. Immediately after her guilty plea, her lawyer at the war crimes tribunal in The Hague said that no deal had been made involving her sentence or testimony. But under court rules, Mrs. Plavsic can be compelled to testify.
Eugene O'Sullivan, co-counsel to Mrs. Plavsic, said in a statement that "by accepting responsibility and expressing her remorse fully and unconditionally," she hoped to offer some consolation to the victims of the Bosnian war, Muslim, Croat and Serb. Many thousands were killed or imprisoned and uncounted others were driven from their homes. He added that she understood "that she is subjecting herself to a possible sentence of life imprisonment."
The unexpected guilty plea compounded the day's exceptional events at the tribunal. Indeed, it seemed timed to take advantage of the unusually large presence in The Hague of reporters and television crews from the former Yugoslavia to watch the duel of two aging Balkan leaders.
For earlier, in the same courtroom, Mr. Milosevic, the jailed former Serbian strongman, and Stjepan Mesic, the current Croatian president, spent the morning sparring.
Today it was Mr. Milosevic's turn to cross-examine Mr. Mesic, a day after Mr. Mesic testified against Mr. Milosevic, repeatedly accusing him of blocking all political solutions and provoking the wars that broke up Yugoslavia.
Some lawyers said they were impressed by the sight of the two leaders arguing in an international criminal court, if only because it had seemed unthinkable until recently. For a long time, the tribunal created in 1993 to deal with the Balkan conflicts of the 1990's had only few and low-ranking defendants on trial.
The Croatian president, a sharp debater, seemed unperturbed by Mr. Milosevic's relentless questioning. He even addressed him scathingly as "Mr. Accused."
Mr. Milosevic started off questioning Mr. Mesic about his time in prison and about political killings in Croatia, asking him if he had been involved in any of them. Mr. Mesic replied, "I had as much to do with that as I had with Lincoln's assassination." Several times, Mr. Milosevic's questions backfired, allowing Mr. Mesic to add further possibly detrimental information.
As the old adversaries traded accusations and broadsides, they often set off laughter in the public gallery, which was packed with observers from Serbia and Croatia. Observers can be seen but not heard in the court, which is shielded with thick bulletproof glass.
The presiding judge, Richard May, often stepped in to bring Mr. Milosevic, and sometimes both men, back to order. At one point, after Mr. Mesic told Mr. Milosevic that he was talking nonsense, Judge May said, "We are not going to continue in this way."
Then, as the two men quibbled about the inflammatory writings of a 19th-century Croatian politician, Mr. May wryly intervened. "The trial chamber is not assisted by the exchange of abuse," he said, "particularly abuse of 100 years ago."
The judge also warned Mr. Milosevic that he was not using his time to his advantage by repeatedly straying off the subject, making speeches and accusing Mr. Mesic of crimes, rather than questioning his evidence.
"Mr. Milosevic, what you must understand is that attacking others is not a form of defense," Judge May said. "It is of no relevance."
As for Mrs. Plavsic, her guilty plea took most court watchers by surprise.
"Here you have a main player in the war facing the truth," Florence Hartmann, spokeswoman for the prosecutor, told reporters after the plea. "We hope others will accept their responsibility for the past events. It's the first time a high-level Serb leader expresses remorse and reaches out to the victims."
Sentencing hearings for Mrs. Plavsic, a 72-year-old former professor of biology, will take place in December. She spoke today by video link from an undisclosed location in the Balkans, where she is free on provisional release. Judges informed her today that she could remain at liberty for security reasons until the December hearings.
Court officials said her guilty plea, apparently proposed by the prosecution, came after long negotiations by lawyers on both sides. Seven other defendants have pleaded guilty before the tribunal, but none of them are as high-ranking as Mrs. Plavsic.
Her case has been special from the beginning. The only woman publicly accused by the tribunal of war crimes, she surrendered to the court in January 2001. At first, she pleaded not guilty to eight counts of war crimes, including genocide, related to her role as the vice president of the Bosnian Serbs during the war. She was close to Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian leader, whom she succeeded after the war.
Both Dr. Karadzic and Gen. Ratko Mladic, the military leader, have been indicted twice for similar charges by the tribunal, but they remain at large.
When she surrendered, an official from the prosecutor's office described her as such a key figure during the Bosnia war that "there is much that she can tell us, even about Milosevic."
Prosecutors also hoped that she would provide valuable information about Momcilo Krajisnik, her co-defendant and the right-hand man to Dr. Karadzic in the war.
Among lawyers monitoring the court, some looked beyond her possible role as a future witness.
"It's critically important for someone at such a high level to say they did wrong," said Judith Armatta, a lawyer and trial observer for the Coalition for International Justice, a tribunal support group based in Washington. "There is the possibility of a snowball effect. And it will help the truth process in the region."
Ms. Hartmann, the prosecutor's spokeswoman, said she believed that "expressing remorse is a big step in the process of reconciliation," adding, "To deny what people went through is like a second death for victims."
--------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST
==^==^============================================================= This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^==^=============================================================
--- Begin Message ---TODAY'S HEADLINES The New York Times on the Web Thursday, October 3, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------ For news updated throughout the day, visit www.nytimes.com/-------------------------------------------------\ Longitudes & Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11. A never-before-published diary written by New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman during the course of his reporting about Sept. 11 and its causes and effects. The book includes "Diary: Travel in a World Without Walls," and a collection of Friedman's columns on the subject, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize. Click here to order: http://www.nytimes.com/nytstore/9_11/4a.html?todaysheadlines \-------------------------------------------------/ QUOTE OF THE DAY ========================= "No noise, no smoking, what else is new." -TERRY GRAUWILER, on a New York crackdown on the noisy. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/nyregion/03NOIS.html?todaysheadlines NATIONAL ========================= Man Accused of Shoe-Bomb Plot Says He Intends to Plead Guilty Despite a request to plead guilty, the motion asked a judge to delete from the indictment the government's assertions that the man received training from Al Qaeda. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/national/03SHOE.html?todaysheadlines ----- Ex-New York Police Official to Head Los Angeles Force William J. Bratton, the former police commissioner of New York, who claimed credit for the city's mid-90s drop in crime has been chosen as the next police chief in Los Angeles. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/national/03ANGE.html?todaysheadlines ----- Industry Asks Bush to End Port Shutdown; Talks Resuming Industry groups representing hundreds of businesses called on President Bush to use his emergency powers to reopen 29 West Coast ports closed in a contract dispute. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/politics/03PORT.html?todaysheadlines ----- MORE NATIONAL NEWS: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/national/index.html?todaysheadlines /--------------------- ADVERTISEMENT ---------------------\ Oracle9i Database gives you the reliability you want?and the performance you need?in a single, secure system. Oracle9i Database is Unbreakable. Click for a FREE Oracle9i Unbreakable InfoKit. http://ads.nyt.com/th.ad/th-oracle02/oracletext/?_RM_REDIR_=http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;4688832;7518011;n?http://www.oracle.com/go/?&Src=1400416&Act=80 \---------------------------------------------------------/ INTERNATIONAL ========================= Iraqis Stall for Time, Playing Weak Hand Well Iraq's objective appears to be to ensure that weapons inspection arrangements are as weak as possible before admitting international monitors. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/international/03ASSE.html?todaysheadlines ----- Bosnia Serb Leader Pleads Guilty to The Hague Biljana Plavsic became the first high official to express remorse publicly for the war and bloodshed in the Balkans. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/international/europe/03HAGU.html?todaysheadlines ----- G.I. Is Killed by a Bomb in the Philippines An American soldier was killed in an explosion on Wednesday in Zamboanga City, in the southern Philippines. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/international/asia/03FILI.html?todaysheadlines ----- MORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/index.html?todaysheadlines BUSINESS ========================= An Ex-Official Faces Charges in Enron Deals Andrew S. Fastow, the former C.F.O. of Enron, was charged with engaging in a vast scheme to disguise the failings of a corporation spinning out of control. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/business/03ENRO.html?todaysheadlines ----- Panel's Report Offers Details on 'Spinning' of New Stocks A Congressional committee is accusing three investment banks of rewarding executives of their corporate clients with preferential allocations of new stocks. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/business/03IPO.html?todaysheadlines ----- Broker's Assistant Pleads Guilty in Stewart Case The assistant to Martha Stewart's stockbroker pleaded guilty to concealing the reason behind the sale of Ms. Stewart's shares of ImClone Systems. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/business/03MART.html?todaysheadlines ----- MORE BUSINESS NEWS: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/business/index.html?todaysheadlines TECHNOLOGY ========================= Microsoft Reports Progress in Averting Computer Crashes Microsoft released data about its Watson online error-reporting service, which the company says has had a significant impact on increasing the stability of its software. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/technology/03SOFT.html?todaysheadlines ----- Cellphones, and Then Some: The Latest High-Tech Mergers Four new palmtop-cellphone hybrids are hitting the market this fall. How do these do-it-all products compare? http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/technology/circuits/03STAT.html?todaysheadlines ----- Expedia Drops Northwest Air in Fee Dispute Expedia, the biggest Internet travel agency, stopped selling tickets on Northwest Airlines at midnight Monday after contract negotiations between the companies broke down. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/technology/03TRAV.html?todaysheadlines ----- MORE TECHNOLOGY NEWS: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/technology/index.html?todaysheadlines POLITICS ========================= Bush Strikes Deal for House Backing on Action in Iraq Democrats acknowledged the deal cleared the way for approval of a joint Congressional resolution supporting action against Saddam Hussein. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/politics/03IRAQ.html?todaysheadlines ----- C.I.A. Rejects Request for Report on Preparations for War in Iraq The Central Intelligence Agency has refused to provide Congress a comprehensive report on its role in a possible American campaign against Iraq. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/politics/03INTE.html?todaysheadlines ----- New Jersey Court Allows Substitute on Senate Ballot New Jersey's Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Wednesday that Democrats could replace Senator Robert G. Torricelli's name on this November's ballot. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/nyregion/metrocampaigns/03JERS.html?todaysheadlines ----- MORE POLITICS NEWS: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/politics/index.html?todaysheadlines SPORTS ========================= Angels Steal Page From Yankees' Book Powered by back-to-back homers, Anaheim beat the Yankees, 8-6, and evened their A.L. playoff series at a game apiece. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/sports/baseball/03YANK.html?todaysheadlines ----- Scioscia Right on Second Try The Anaheim Angels gave their manager a second chance, and this time he and they got it right. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/sports/baseball/03CHAS.html?todaysheadlines ----- Chavez Gives A's Fast Start With a three-run homer, Eric Chavez helped the A's beat Minnesota 9-1, and even their A.L. division series. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/sports/baseball/03OAKL.html?todaysheadlines ----- MORE SPORTS NEWS: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/index.html?todaysheadlines ARTS ========================= For Art: Destination, Queens The temporary relocation this past summer of the Musuem of Modern Art to Long Island City has demystified Queens as a destination for art and museums. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/arts/design/03QUEE.html?todaysheadlines ----- A Heretical Astronomer Rethinking His Revolution Philip Glass's 18th opera, which is notably fresher than his last few operas, presents Galileo's story in reverse chronology; it is the operatic equivalent of the film "Memento." http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/arts/music/03GALI.html?todaysheadlines ----- 'Les Miserables' to Close in March After 16 years of barricade storming and anthem humming, "Les Miserables" will close next March. By the time it shutters, it will be the second-longest-running production in Broadway history. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/arts/theater/03MISE.html?todaysheadlines ----- MORE ARTS NEWS: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/arts/index.html?todaysheadlines NY REGION ========================= New Jersey Court Allows Substitute on Senate Ballot New Jersey's Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Wednesday that Democrats could replace Senator Robert G. Torricelli's name on this November's ballot. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/nyregion/metrocampaigns/03JERS.html?todaysheadlines ----- 'Hey, Keep It Down, Will Ya?' Mayor's Noise Plan Insists on It Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced a program to tackle the quality-of-life problem most vexing to New York City residents: loud unwanted noise. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/nyregion/03NOIS.html?todaysheadlines ----- Sniper Hits a Teacher at Stuyvesant Town A former city police officer who was dismissed for drug use opened fire with a rifle from the window of his Stuyvesant Town apartment, wounding a preschool teacher. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/nyregion/03SNIP.html?todaysheadlines ----- MORE NY REGION NEWS: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/nyregion/index.html?todaysheadlines EDITORIAL/OP-ED ========================= The Jersey Bounce By WILLIAM SAFIRE Tom Daschle's too-clever Jersey bounce puts us on notice: In a close contest, he's not above pulling a fast one. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/opinion/03SAFI.html?todaysheadlines ----- Note to Democrats: Get a Defense Policy By GARY HART Once again the Democratic party finds itself on the defensive on defense. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/opinion/03HART.html?todaysheadlines ----- Iraq's Forgotten Majority By FRANK SMYTH To ensure stability, post-Hussein Iraq must take into account the two-thirds of Iraqis who are Shiites. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/opinion/03SMYT.html?todaysheadlines ----- MORE EDITORIAL/OP-ED NEWS: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html?todaysheadlines ------------------------------------- Receive 50% Off Home Delivery of The New York Times Newspaper. Click here: http://www.nytimes.com/ads/headlinestext.html ------------------------------------- HOW TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------ You received these headlines because you requested The New York Times Direct e-mail service. To cancel delivery, change delivery options, change your e-mail address or sign up for other newsletters, see http://www.nytimes.com/email. Check or uncheck the headlines you would like to receive and remember to go to the bottom of the page and click on "Save Selections." To change your e-mail address, go to our help center: http://www.nytimes.com/help. Suggestions and feedback are welcome at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please include the following ID number when writing to [EMAIL PROTECTED] so that we can track any reports of problems: 15393486 HOW TO ADVERTISE ------------------------------------------------------------ For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo--- End Message ---
