Posted on 08/31/2004 9:46:42 AM PDT by Jane_N
MOSCOW, August 31 (RIA Novosti) - The Geopolitical Problems Academy's vice-president Leonid Ivashov intends to speak as the witness for the defense at the criminal proceedings against Slobodan Milosevic, former president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, ongoing in the Hague tribunal, Mr. Ivashov, who had taken part in the endeavors to settle the Yugoslavian crisis as a representative of the Russian Defense Ministry, told RIA Novosti.
"I agreed to participate in the court proceedings as the witness for Milosevic's defense, since I met him time and again and dealt with the Kosovo settlement process before and after the bombings of Yugoslavia. So I have something to say to the court", Mr. Ivashov pointed out.
According to him, he is aware of the testimonies given by some NATO generals including Claus Nauman, chairman of NATO Military Committee, Supreme Allied Commander in Europe Wesley Clark and others.
Mr. Ivashov is confident that the western generals demonstrate tendentious and biased approach to the developments in and around Yugoslavia. "They are expressly blanching over NATO activities and subversion and Kosovo Albanians. They are biased in blaming all steps of the Yugoslavian authorities. For the sake of impartiality and rectification of the injustice I agreed to participate in the proceedings as a witness", said the RIA Novosti interviewee.
Mr. Ivashov added that he also intended as a witness for the defense at the Hague proceedings against General Dragoljub Oidanic, chief of the Yugoslavian Army General Staff.
He did not rule out the possibility that Yevgeni Primakov, current chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who had also been involved in the negotiations on the Yugoslavian settlement as the foreign minister, may o appear as a witness for the defense too.
"Primakov could also participate in the court proceedings, he has something to say. He had an unbiased position on all the developments", believes Mr.Ivashov.
As for Victor Chernomyrdin, who at that time, was the special representative of the Russian president at the talks, Mr. Ivashov admitted that he did not have any information whether he was going to come to the Hague.
The court proceedings against Milosevic at the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia began in February 2002. It was the first time that a former head of state had faced the trial. The court is examining three final charges against Milosevic related to the events in Kosovo (1999), Croatia (1991-92) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992-95).
The ex-president is accused of terror campaigns, violent expulsion of population and genocide.
Refreshments, popcorn, peanuts ... Hurry up, the main show is about to begin.
The man with tied hands tries to set himself free .
Don't Miss the side show, the meanest, ugliest prosecutor on the Earth, stupid to boot.
The Kangaroo Prosecutor called Blewitt who blew it and went back to Australia.
Ping
Whether he quit or not, they ALL blew it!!!! The "court'" goes against all our American principles, at a time when we need to be "a beacon for the world", as they are saying at the RNC right now. As they are trying to kill their indictees and prisoners by lousy, unhealthful prison conditions and long confinement, thye are killing their own. That horrible "Judge" May got sick, quit the "court", and died!!!!
The kangaroo "judges" and persecutors have an easy out. They can declare Slobo unfit to stand trial beacuse of his poor health, and free him. If they do that, they will get away with a lot--it is really the minions of this "tribunal" and those who set it up (especially Halfbright and the sneaky fifth columnist Bassiouni) who should be prosecuted!!!!
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