************************************************************** INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE TO DEFEND SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ICDSM Sofia-New York-Moscow www.icdsm.org ************************************************************** Velko Valkanov, Ramsey Clark, Alexander Zinoviev (Co-Chairmen), Klaus Hartmann (Chairman of the Board), Vladimir Krsljanin (Secretary), Christopher Black (Chair, Legal Committee), Tiphaine Dickson (Legal Spokesperson) ************************************************************** 28 August 2005 Special Circular **************************************************************
DECLARATION OF THE RUSSIAN ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW The proceedings against Slobodan Milosevic before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia raises serious concern. It is in the first place connected with the ability of the Tribunal to ensure the principle of fair trial. That principle is a basic requirement of several international and regional treaties, as well as a norm of the Tribunal's Statute. The most important element of a fair trial is the guarantee to a defendant to present his evidence in full. The most important factor, securing that possibility, is the factor of time. In the proceedings against Slobodan Milosevic the factor of time, unfortunately, does not secure respect of the principle of fair trial. Assigning to Mr. Milosevic the time to present his case exactly twice shorter than the time used for the presentation of the Prosecution case is absolutely unacceptable. The Trial Chamber justified that decision by a posture that the defendant, allegedly, "wasted" considerable amount of the Prosecution's time by his questions during cross examination. That argument has nothing to do with the law and it is also false in its essence: Mr. Milosevic "wasted" the time of the Prosecution case not on his own witnesses, but on the witnesses of the Prosecution. Consequently, the decision of the Tribunal is not only unfair, but it is also illegal. In the presently ongoing Defense case more and more defense witnesses present evidence that fully and convincingly disproves the indictment. However, the situation when it is necessary to present evidence against every allegation of the Prosecution case and Mr. Milosevic can use twice shorter time than the Prosecution had, means that the defendant is intentionally deprived of the possibility to present all the necessary evidence. It became apparent that the continuation of the proceedings under the constant time strain threatens the possibility to recognize this trial as fair. The international tribunal cannot conduct proceedings in violation of the fundamental principle of international law. Mr. Milosevic should have been assigned as much time for his defense, as it is necessary to present all witnesses and all evidence, or at least, as much time as the Prosecution had. Anything contrary to that would be a serious breach of international law. Adopted at the Annual Assembly of the Russian Association of International Law, on July 30, 2005 in Moscow. ************************************************************* URGENT FUNDRAISING APPEAL ****************************** NEW ACCOUNT IN AUSTRIA AVAILABLE (with all necessary details for bank transfers) AFTER OUR ACCOUNT IN GERMANY WAS FROZEN ******************************* President Milosevic has the truth and law on his side. In order to use that advantage to achieve his freedom, we must fight this totally discredited tribunal and its patrons through professionally conducted actions which would involve the Bar Associations, the European Court, the UN organs in charge and the media. Our practice has shown that ad hoc voluntary work is not enough to deal properly with these tasks. The funds secured in Serbia are still enough only to cover the expenses of the stay and work of President Milosevic's legal associates at The Hague (one at the time). The funds secured by the German section of the ICDSM (still the only one with regular contributions) are enough only to cover minimal additional work at The Hague connected with contacts and preparations of foreign witnesses. Everything else is lacking. These days, the fundraising activity of the German section was a target of a groundless attack of the customs police in Germany. This makes the need for your extraordinary effort dramaticaly urgent! Even the basic defence activities at The Hague are at stake! As a most practical way to send your donations, we are able to offer now the account of a friendly organization in Austria (see below). Please send your donations to that account now, to fill the gap made after the German account was frozen. Have in mind that all bank transfers within the EU are now at the same price like within any of its countries. *********************************************************** 3000-5000 EUR per month is our imminent need. Our history and our people oblige us to go on with this necessary action. But without these funds it will not be possible. Please organize urgently the fundraising activity and send the donations to the following account: Jugoslawisch-Österreichische Solidaritäts-Bewegung. (JÖSB) Bank Austria IBAN AT49 1200 0503 8030 5200 BIC BKAUATWW ************************************************************ All of your donations will be used for legal and other necessary accompanying activities, on instruction or with the consent of President Milosevic. To obtain additional information on the use of your donations or to obtain additional advice on the most efficient way to submit your donations or to make bank transfers, please do not hesitate to contact us: Peter Betscher (ICDSM Treasurer) E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: +49 172 7566 014 Vladimir Krsljanin (ICDSM Secretary) E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: +381 63 8862 301 *************************************************************** For truth and human rights against aggression! Freedom for Slobodan Milosevic! Freedom and equality for people! On behalf of Sloboda and ICDSM, Vladimir Krsljanin, Foreign Relations Assistant to President Milosevic ************************************************************* SLOBODA urgently needs your donation. Please find the detailed instructions at: http://www.sloboda.org.yu/pomoc.htm To join or help this struggle, visit: http://www.sloboda.org.yu/ (Sloboda/Freedom association) http://www.icdsm.org/ (the international committee to defend Slobodan Milosevic) http://www.free-slobo.de/ (German section of ICDSM) http://www.free-slobo-uk.org/ (CDSM UK) http://www.icdsm-us.org/ (US section of ICDSM) http://www.icdsmireland.org/ (ICDSM Ireland) http://www.pasti.org/milodif.htm (ICDSM Italy) http://www.wpc-in.org/ (world peace council) http://www.geocities.com/b_antinato/ (Balkan antiNATO center) Serbian News Network - SNN [email protected] http://www.antic.org/
