STOP NATO: �NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- ListBot Sponsor -------------------------- Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "The big powers have been instrumental in first of all dismembering the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the context of their contention for the control of Yugoslavia and the Balkans, as part of their contention for the control of a united Europe under the sway of the monopolies." ------------------------------- Workers' Daily Internet Edition Year 2001 No.112 Article Index : 1) Milosevic Extradition: No Legitimacy in US-Style International Rule of Law --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) Milosevic Extradition: No Legitimacy in US-Style International Rule of Law The extradition of Yugoslav ex-president Slobodan Milosevic to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague cannot be said to have legitimacy in terms of international law, nor was it sanctioned by the Yugoslav Constitutional Court. The extradition has come about because of blackmail and pressure by US imperialism against Yugoslavia, with the backing of the US’s allies, including Britain. US imperialism and its allies have orchestrated the whole scenario of trying Milosevic for "war crimes" as part of their justifications for bringing Yugoslavia within the orbit of NATO, the European Union and the OSCE. Despite this, the extradition has been carried out against the will of the present Yugoslav president who replaced Milosevic – Vojislav Kostunica – who has condemned the move as illegal. The big powers have been instrumental in first of all dismembering the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the context of their contention for the control of Yugoslavia and the Balkans, as part of their contention for the control of a united Europe under the sway of the monopolies. Having intrigued, interfered and intervened in the region, including waging the criminal bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, the big powers, led by the US imperialism and backed to the hilt by the British government, are continuing to use "humanitarian" pretexts to pursue their geo-political aims. Following the bombing of Yugoslavia by the US and Britain, carried out by utilising the pretext of the Serb atrocities against the Albanian population of Kosovo, these same powers engineered the fall of Slobodan Milosevic. As far back as November last year, the US made it clear that in order to receive US "assistance" and consolidate "democracy", Yugoslavia would have to comply with conditions which included co- operating with the ICTY, supporting the Dayton accords in Bosnia and implementing policies which established the "rule of law". In other words, the Yugoslav government was given the options, comply with the US dictate or suffer the consequences. Even now, the extradition of Milosevic has taken place over the heads of the Yugoslav government and judiciary. Immediately, "donors" have pledged their "aid" to Yugoslavia. At a conference due to be chaired by the European Commission and the World Bank on Friday, June 29, The EC, the executive of the European Union, has set aside 220 million euros in its 2001 budget for Yugoslavia. Germany has said it will provide 153 million marks. Other EU states, as well as the European Investment Bank, are to provide contributions which together could reach three-quarters of a billion dollars. The World Bank will provide nearly $600 million over a three-year period. And the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is expected to provide about $200 million and the United States about $110 million. The consequent "stability" coupled with this lucrative "aid" and "market reforms" will give every reason for finance capital to lick its lips and plunge its claws into Yugoslavia. This is what Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, has called Yugoslavia joining the "democratic European mainstream". While the British government is gloating that one "dictator" is to account for his crimes, it is also sending a warning to "all dictators that they will not escape justice". In other words, this is gangsterism under the signboard of the international rule of law, that if these countries and their leaders whom the US and the big powers have demonised do not comply with their dictate, then they will continue to suffer at the hands of the might of the big powers. Comply, and they will be showered with their enslaving aid. Not only is the internal democracy of the Anglo-American and EU countries suffering a legitimacy crisis, but this latest move is bound to deepen the crisis of the so-called international rule of law, and underline the urgent need for the democratisation of international relations. The democratic forces must not be taken in by the "humanitarian" pretexts given by the US and by Britain, but must vigorously condemn the extradition of Slobodan Milosevic and all such intervention in countries’ internal affairs which flouts the established norms of international democracy. End Item ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
