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Haselock: We did not mean to stigmatize the reputation of the KLA
BETA News Agency | February 7, 2002 | BETA

Posted on 02/11/2002 11:22:39 AM PST by Ichabod Walrus

Haselock: We did not mean to stigmatize the reputation of the KLA

PRISTINA, 7 February 2002 (Beta) - The head of the UNMIK Information Office, Simon Haselock, stated today in Pristina that the arrest of former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) were not intended "to stigmatize the reputation of that organization", but he warned that no one can be immune from the law.

Individual acts cannot influence the reputation of an organization, said Haselock.

Demonstrations throughout Kosovo towns were organized by certain forces which desire to realize their own narrow interests, he indicated, without specifying, however, to which forces he referred.

According to Haselock, the Kosovo judicial system will also concern itself with crimes committed prior to the time the UN mission assumed administration of the province since, according to Haselock, there is no statute of limitations on criminal acts.

He indicated that the arrest of former members of the KLA was carried out after a long investigation, which began after the deployment of NATO forces on Kosovo territory.

"The accusations are related to crimes perpetrated against Albanians, including also women and minors. They were arrested, tortured, beaten up and then killed. These crimes are not committed against soldiers during a state of war, but against unarmed civilians," said Haselock.

According to him, the UN mission is endeavoring to form an independent Kosovo judicial system and this system will be developed independently of the political process.

Despite a warning from UNMIK, the organization committee for protests to be held tomorrow has called for new mass demonstrations in Pristina as a sign of protest against the arrest of the former members of the KLA.

Translated by S. Lazovic (10 February 2002)


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: balkans
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To: vooch
lets see what happens.
41 posted on 02/13/2002 6:17:39 AM PST by Wraith
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To: Francohio
Actually we all agree here regarding the KLA more or less. The problem is when some people ignore to see their counterparts among others (non Muslims).
42 posted on 02/13/2002 6:17:54 AM PST by bluester
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To: Francohio
ROTFLMAO!!! : )

Silly me...I should have realized this...

43 posted on 02/13/2002 6:19:55 AM PST by ninachka
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To: bluester; Ichabod Walrus
“I love this statement. Of course, KLA is responsible for all those people killed in Bosnia and Croatia, how ignorant of me.”

There were Kosovo Albanians who went to murder civilians in Bosnia. Just because they didn't kill under the banner of the KLA doesn't mean they weren't terrorists just the same. In Macedonia and Southern Serbia they switch acronyms occasionally - ANA, NLA, etc. An ethnic Albanian fighter in Macedonia mentioned his previous fighting in Kosovo, and before that, in Bosnia and Croatia.

Ichabod, didn't you state that one thing that could have helped spark the war between Croats and Muslims in Bosnia was Kosovo Albanians killing priests in Tuzla - both Orthodox and Catholic?

http://www.balkanpeace.org/temp/tmp13.html (Bosnia) -

The Mujahedin forces were closely associated with the 5th Corps, the 6th and 7th Zenica Brigades, the 7th Travnik Brigade, and the 45th Muslim Brigade which belongs to the 6th Corps in Konjic of the Army of BiH (US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 62612-62877, at 62648; see also Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 9, 4 October 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 36434-36438, at 36435; «Continuing Clashes in Northwestern Enclave Reported from Both Sides», BBC, Summary of World Broadcasts, 14 December 1993.)

They also allegedly fought alongside the Muslim Police, the Krajiska Brigade from Travnik, units of Kosovo Muslims, Albanian soldiers, and paramilitary groups such as the «Green Legion» and the «Black Swans».(Charles McLoed, ECMM, Report on Inter-Ethnic Violence in Vitez, Busovaca and Zenica, April 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 20178-20546, at 20207; Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 9, 4 October 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 36434-36438, at 36435; US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 62612-62877, at 62648, 62724, 62730, and 62756.)

44 posted on 02/13/2002 6:20:17 AM PST by joan
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To: bluester
Geraldo Rivera is pretty much a jerk IMO. His reporting on CNBC during the Kosovo "war" was as biased and sensationalist as it comes. I did enjoy his reporting from Tora Bora though...mostly because he was right there, climbing the mountains and close to the falling bombs.

I like Fox News because it gives all sides rather than the leftist view only that one finds on CNN and the major networks. Brit Hume for example is the finest of broadcast journalists.

45 posted on 02/13/2002 6:24:36 AM PST by ninachka
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To: vooch;Fusion; vooch; spar; Bluester; Travis Mcgee; Joan; Marmema;hoplite
So you are supporting the mass expulsion of the Kosovar Albanian population from Kosovo and the civil war that would follow? That would have been the case if NATO/U.S. did not intervened as a result of listening to the ICJ. The aftermath which would have turned into a civil war would be on the conscience of that judge and his colleagues.

Don't get me wrong I do not like the KLA and the fact that they shoot people in the back but their is such a thing as an every day Kosovar Albanian who is just interested in supporting his or her family and want to live in peace. I have met some of these kind of people. Serbian and Croatian as well. Milosovic's big mistake was to push the Kosovar Albanians out of Kosovo. The likes of Arkan being present while this was taking place indicates to what length Milosivic was ready to go in getting rid of the Kosovar Albanin population. Thank God Arkan no longer walks the earth but I'm sure he is enjoying hell.

46 posted on 02/13/2002 9:25:01 AM PST by Wraith
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To: Wraith;Ninachka;Bluester;Vooch;Spar;Stavka2;Ranger; Black Jade;Incorrigible
You make one of the stronger arguments for American intervention in Kosovo here. There is no doubt that many lives were saved by the NATO war on Yugoslavia, however since they were Albanian (faux Muslims) you will be hard pressed to convince the Slavic apologists that this cause was worthwhile. Sort of like a European Dred Scott three-fifths kind of thing.

The airstrikes around Gorazde saved lives too. However the pro-Serb elements don't want to hear this either...

You continue to pound Vooch and Spar (is this Pericles I am advised?) with your insight garnered from your tour of Hell in Kosovo. Both these guys are solid posters that are very well informed about the Balkans and do excellent jobs of pushing their agendas -- yet you continue to outpoint them with your scientific demonstration of fact delivery versus hypothesis failed.

With that said, I must say though you continue to fail to appreciate or understand the Kosovo Liberation Army and its valiant and historical role in turning back the thousand year tide of Slavic expansionism. Mother Russia and her satelite states are dead -- destroyed by the United States of America and her KLA and Chechen allies. Now with the "War on terror" expanding, the USA has bigger fish to fry and the policing of the Balkans and destruction of the United Nations are left to the KLA.

Currently the K-6 wing of the KLA is charged with the elimination of aproximately 120 individuals in Kosovo province. The majority of these are supporters of your beloved Rugova and the LDK, another thirty or so are Serbs still in the province, and another twenty perhaps are European Union NGO members who are causing trouble now.

The Kosovo Liberation Army will neutralise these revisionist elements so that Kosovo province can remain free of Slavic tyranny and the hegemonism of Greater Albania can be solidified. War is coming to Macedonia with the aggressive defence of the Tetovo Republic and the liberation of the Presevo Valley. One would think that a classic "Night of the Long Knives" would be more efficient than the current plan of removing a half dozen a month.

So please, Wraith, if the KLA must take down enemies of the state with the garrotte, 9mm pistol, or remote controlled bomb -- let us applaud these veteran descendents of Ancient Illyria that do this dark work instead of condemning them. "Extremism in the pursuit of liberty is no vice," as we all know...

********

Ninachka

Hey pal, you're way out of your league in debating Bluester. Instead of whining about how America decides to conduct its foreign policy in supporting the glorious Kosovo Liberation Army -- conquerers of Yugoslavia and defenders of the Tetovo Republic -- he/she fights for freedom in the independent land of Slovenia.

Some day Slovenia will be attacked by the New World Order, pan-Slavic League, or the European Union. Bluester will be there in the forefront like his/her Hungarian brothers and sisters in 1956 or Czech cousins in 1968. Then Bluester will lead other like minded Slovenians in manning the barricades and tossing the Molotov Cocktails until the forces of freedom can arrive to lend a hand and turn back the tide of tyranny...

You on the other hand will still still be whining and moaning when the blue berets of the United Nations come knocking on your door to register you as a subject of the New World Order. When you start your left wing rants they will kindly direct you to the nearest filtration camp where some nice Russian thugs just released from prison will take over you reeducation like they do in Chechnya now...

The whole world at war now son, if you can't recognize that KLA fighters and Chechen nationalists kill the enemies of all free men -- then perhaps you are not one...

And yeah, Brit Hume is pretty cool. Plays a mean game of tennis too ...

Keep on rockin' in the free world...

The forces of freedom on the move. Europe trembles.

47 posted on 02/13/2002 9:31:55 AM PST by Fusion
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To: Wraith
"So you are supporting the mass expulsion of the Kosovar Albanian population from Kosovo and the civil war that would follow? That would have been the case if NATO/U.S. did not intervened as a result of listening to the ICJ."

That was the case after NATO started bombing and because NATO started bombing. Many of the Kosovo Albanians left because people in masks ordered them too - most likely KLA/mercenaries. Those who stayed were punished (by those who had ordered the fleeing or had fleed themselves) after the war because they didn't flee. It was NATO and the KLA they wanted to get some of them out.

Many of the camps that the refugees fleed to were controlled by the KLA who reportedly stole their money and, in some cases, indoctrinated them - perhaps for the coming "revenge".

One photo of an Albanian woman passing her baby through a barbed wire fence to other Albanians (all the adults were smiling, so probably it wasn't a grave situation but a photo opportunity to present to the sheeple - an image of refugees & barbed wire fences) was in the newspapers, and I remember other Freepers (from New York) saying the image was on posters on the subway. Yet, the caption showed the photo was TAKEN IN ALBANIA, not Kosovo.

And if the Serbs wanted the Albanian civilians to leave, why were they escorting scores back into Kosovo towards their homes. These refugees were bombed and strafed by NATO for hours. NATO didn't want them to go back then. NATO also bombed an encampment of sleeping Albanian refugees who had gone back to Kosovo. NATO also bombed a Greek ambulance in Kosovo after the Greeks had informed NATO about their plans to travel to Kosovo (thinking NATO would be careful not to bomb them) but it appears informing NATO was what made them most vulnerable.

NATO showed by its targeted bombing whom it did not want back into Kosovo at that time.

48 posted on 02/13/2002 9:50:39 AM PST by joan
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To: Fusion
Hey pal, you're way out of your league in debating Bluester. Instead of whining about how America decides to conduct its foreign policy in supporting the glorious Kosovo Liberation Army -- conquerers of Yugoslavia and defenders of the Tetovo Republic -- he/she fights for freedom in the independent land of Slovenia.

A - I'm no pal of ANYONE who supports the terrorist KLA. B - I'm not whining about anything. I was firmly againt the illegal bombing of Yugoslavia and the Clinton administrations support of the anything but "glorious" KLA and I stand by my convictions on this subject. It was wrong and will alwys be wrong. C - There is no such thing as the "Tetevo Republic". D - So poor Slovenia is next? Will you monsters ever stop?

Some day Slovenia will be attacked by the New World Order, pan-Slavic League, or the European Union. Bluester will be there in the forefront like his/her Hungarian brothers and sisters in 1956 or Czech cousins in 1968. Then Bluester will lead other like minded Slovenians in manning the barricades and tossing the Molotov Cocktails until the forces of freedom can arrive to lend a hand and turn back the tide of tyranny...

Slovenia is safe as long as you and your terorist pals stay the hell away from it.

You on the other hand will still still be whining and moaning when the blue berets of the United Nations come knocking on your door to register you as a subject of the New World Order. When you start your left wing rants they will kindly direct you to the nearest filtration camp where some nice Russian thugs just released from prison will take over you reeducation like they do in Chechnya now...

Lol! Keep dreaming! I live in the USA and this will never happen in my lifetime. And being of Russian extraction myself, I'm sure the Russian "thugs" you speak of would give me a warm hug and three kisses while saying "Privet druga"!! Oh and, I am anything BUT "left-wing"...LOL!

The whole world at war now son, if you can't recognize that KLA fighters and Chechen nationalists kill the enemies of all free men -- then perhaps you are not one...

A -I am not a "son" to anyone...since I am a woman. B - The KLA and Chechen nationalists ARE the enemies of all free men!

49 posted on 02/13/2002 9:53:19 AM PST by ninachka
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To: Wraith; vooch
So you are supporting the mass expulsion of the Kosovar Albanian population from Kosovo and the civil war that would follow? That would have been the case if NATO/U.S. did not intervened as a result of listening to the ICJ. The aftermath which would have turned into a civil war would be on the conscience of that judge and his colleagues.

The US Constitution and international law that the US helped write can not be put aside based on psychic premonitions.

Don't get me wrong I do not like the KLA and the fact that they shoot people in the back but their is such a thing as an every day Kosovar Albanian who is just interested in supporting his or her family and want to live in peace.

Your every day Kosovar is a citizen of the sovereign state of Yugoslavia, a founding member of the UN. NATO has no jurisdiction.

I have met some of these kind of people. Serbian and Croatian as well.

I have not met anyone from Yugoslavia, so you have one up on me.

Milosovic's big mistake was to push the Kosovar Albanians out of Kosovo. The expulsions did not begin until after NATO starting bombing, an act which even you can not claim was legitimate.

The likes of Arkan being present while this was taking place indicates to what length Milosivic was ready to go in getting rid of the Kosovar Albanin population. Arkan was in Belgrade, I heard his interview on American TV.

Thank God Arkan no longer walks the earth but I'm sure he is enjoying hell. Ever read Milton?

The NATO/ U.S. reaction in Kosovo despite the U.S. Congress's vote to not take military action could have resulted in another Rwanda. A show of GRIT on the part of Clinton to intervene and not have a repeat of Rwanda.

Rawanda resulted in 800,000 lives being killed mostly without bullets in under one month's time. Kosovo and Bosnia combined were not even close to Rawanda. Besides, the President can not put aside the wishes of Congress and the US Constitution based on psychic premonitions. Flawed ones at that.

You forgot to mention that the President of the United States has the power of a Veto in regards to Congress's vote and exercised that power. If he acted illegally why was he not impeached????

If I was grading your paper I would have to fail you. The veto applies to legislation not to the war power's provision. Why was Clinton not impeached? Long story made short:

Clinton started bombing, refused to come to congress for approval. Congress threatens legal action, Clinton submits permission request. Congress refuses request in a stunning 50-50 split vote. Since a majority vote is needed legally it's the same as a denial. Clinton ignores Congress continues bombing. Congress takes Clinton to court. Judge ruled that since Congress voted against the measure it was up to them to end the war by not funding the military budget for Kosovo. That did not happen. Congress appealed the ruling and is now still in court pending judicial review if ever. Clinton was saved by a legal technicality.

50 posted on 02/13/2002 11:46:48 AM PST by Spar
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To: joan
re: Bluester: “I love this statement. Of course, KLA is responsible for all those people killed in Bosnia and Croatia, how ignorant of me.”

Everything bluester's written in this forum has convinced me he's as anti-Serb as they come, just his methods are a tad bit more perfid from the norm. I actually prefer to read Fusion, who has this fantasy that Albanians are somehow "independent" as a nation, or even as a fighting force.

It's not certain why bluester in the Moslem-frei land of Slovenia, where Moslems were banned from residing during the entire history of Yugoslav state, is so pro-Muslim. It might have something to do with the fact that Slovenia has bought a controlling interest in 8 of the only 10 viable companies in the Moslem-Croat Federation. The Slovene President even has his own personal department store in Sarajevo. It also might have to do with the fact that Slovenia makes some good coin on the backs of Bosnian slaves who have to commute back and forth between western Europe to stay alive. As the gateway to western Europe for Bosnia and Albania, Slovenia gouges these lovely Muslims for everything from transit visas to road tolls.

No wonder Slovenes like bluester pretend to love them.

bluester doesn't care that even the Hague Tribunal recognizes there were many more Albanians killing Serbs in Croatia than there were murders in Kosovo in 1993. That would be too intellectually taking, and besides, that doesn't bring in much money for Slovenia.

51 posted on 02/13/2002 12:06:49 PM PST by Ichabod Walrus
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To: Wraith
NATO intervention i.e. the first NATO Air strikes on Bosnian Serb positions around Gorazde in Bosnia (1994) saved the lives of approx. 45 thousand Bosnian Muslim civilians (HUMAN BEINGS)who for the most part defending themselves with hunting rifles. Gorazde was targeted to be over run by the Bosnian Serb Army who brought a lot of armor. Could have been another Srebrenica but worse.

Right, Gorazde, the most pro-Nazi town in southeastern Bosnia where thousands of Serbs were killed in WWII. After cleansing the town of ethnic Serbs in 1992, the Bosnian Muslims in Gorazde did not observe a single ceasefire right up to the end of the war in Bosnia. These killers, armed with much more than "hunting rifles" actually robbed Ukrainian and British "peacekeepers" not only of their weapons but their uniforms as well. Then they went on to use their "safe havens", dressed up in NATO uniforms to attack isolated Serb farms. The exact same things happened in Srebrenica, where the UN lied for two years that it had disarmed the Muslims in the town.

Wraith, if you don't know what happened in Bosnia, don't feel obliged to write about it, lest you get accused of lying.

52 posted on 02/13/2002 12:18:58 PM PST by Ichabod Walrus
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To: Ichabod Walrus
It's not certain why bluester in the Moslem-frei land of Slovenia, where Moslems were banned from residing during the entire history of Yugoslav state, is so pro-Muslim.

Muslim-frei Slovenia? You don't know what you talk about do you? And you obviously haven't been here either. Please, do stick to things you know about and don't insult me with your ignorance.

As for my alleged anti-Serb stance, you should explain that to all of my Serb friends and my Serbian aunt and her part of the family. I am sure they would be interested to hear how I am supposed to be anti-Serb.

You really don't get it do you? Or you don't want to. Being against the likes of Milosevic, Karadzic, Mladic or Arkan does not make one an anti Serb or Serb hater. Far from it. It just means that one can make the line, the distinction between good people and those among them that ain't exactly good. War criminals to be exact.

But alas no matter how much I stress that, no clarification will help, not here. Ah..

53 posted on 02/13/2002 12:41:39 PM PST by bluester
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To: Fusion
Some day Slovenia will be attacked by the New World Order, pan-Slavic League, or the European Union. Bluester will be there in the forefront like his/her Hungarian brothers and sisters in 1956 or Czech cousins in 1968. Then Bluester will lead other like minded Slovenians in manning the barricades and tossing the Molotov Cocktails until the forces of freedom can arrive to lend a hand and turn back the tide of tyranny...

Haha, I really can't say what to make of you Fusion. I don't think you will ever see me tossing Molotov Cocktails at anyone, and I doubt anything like that will ever happen in Slovenia.

As for left wing ranting that you attributed to Ninachka, the only one close to that would be me, a liberal. So I guess I should be the problem, not Ninachka. You won't find anyone more liberal around Fusion. Which is a probably one of the reasons that I have Serb and Muslim friends alike, eat pleskavica at Serbs and eat burek at Albanians! What a world...

54 posted on 02/13/2002 12:49:13 PM PST by bluester
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To: bluester
You don't know what you talk about do you? And you obviously haven't been here either...

Bluester, do you know how to get Slovenes politically active?

Tell them a Muslim wants to move in next door.

bluester, if you care so much about Muslims why don't you lobby the government to stop reducing the time it takes for them to get a visa, or better yet do away with the visas, which bring in millions into Slovenia's coffers, altogether?

55 posted on 02/13/2002 1:00:29 PM PST by Ichabod Walrus
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To: Ichabod Walrus
Incidently, Slovenia has one of the most liberal (open) migration laws in Europe, and the fact that more then 200.000 people (mostly from ex Yugoslavia Muslims, Serbs, Croats, since they were the vast majority of the aplicants) got Slovenian citizenship since 1991 till today is something for you to think about.

Oh and 200.000 is 10% of Slovenia's whole population. That would be like USA granting 28,6 mio new citizens in a same period of time. And those are FACTS. So, I hope I was clear enough.

56 posted on 02/13/2002 1:11:12 PM PST by bluester
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To: bluester
Incidently, Slovenia has one of the most liberal (open) migration laws in Europe, and the fact that more then 200.000 people (mostly from ex Yugoslavia Muslims, Serbs, Croats, since they were the vast majority of the aplicants) got Slovenian citizenship since 1991 till today is something for you to think about.

You're talking about Yugoslav citizens who were forced to take out Slovene citizenship because of Slovenia's treason in 1991?

Still, it's interesting you referred to them as "migrants". Proves my point.

57 posted on 02/13/2002 1:15:49 PM PST by Ichabod Walrus
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To: Ichabod Walrus
It doesn't prove any of your points since that number includes a large portion of immigrants to Slovenia from all former republics. Something you are obviously not aware about. Which does prove my point. I stick to facts. Not assumptions or even lies.
58 posted on 02/13/2002 1:31:42 PM PST by bluester
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To: bluester
It doesn't prove any of your points since that number includes a large portion of immigrants to Slovenia from all former republics

There is no legal basis for referring to Yugoslav citizens as "immigrants" in their own country.

To suggest otherwise is not a statement of fact, but a brazen lie - a lie which only a Yugo-traitor could make.

59 posted on 02/13/2002 2:35:42 PM PST by Ichabod Walrus
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To: Ichabod Walrus
Right, Gorazde, the most pro-Nazi town in southeastern Bosnia where thousands of Serbs were killed in WWII.

Dear Goof, stop trying to relate the beat up people of Gorazde in 1994 with the Nazi past. Pro Nazi town? I don't believe Nazism was their top priority of the day but more like hoping to see the sun rise the next morning without the complication of a Bosnian Serb bullet in the back of the head. A rather humble daily request to hope for I would think. Every one beat up on the Muslims and demonize them for the way they reacted?

Your nationalistic B.S. reeks of pro Milosivic/Arkan support which is quit obvious in your regard to the battered population in Gorzde. Like in all the Muslim enclaves the Muslims got the worst of it during the Bosnian war and you make it sound like they are the ultimate evil that did what they wanted and to whom ever, but you fail to look in your own back yard. The Mulsims fought back any way they could despite the obvious disadvantage they had and if they stole weapons to do it I believe any population as desperate as they were would have done the same thing including you and your limited cerebral capacity.

Remember your other hero General Mladic and the fun he had at Srebrenica in 1995? The Bosnian Serb Military succeeded that time. You are another one of those simpletons that only sees evil in one direction but refuses to acknowledge the evil exhibited by the side you support. A true supporter of genocide if I have ever met one. I realy want to know what qualifies you in making the remarks you do? In any case please connect to the National Post and search for an article titled "Canada's Unsung 'Superhero'." It is the personal account of one of the unarmed U.N. military observers who was responsible for saving the town of Gorazde in 1994 from your so callws heroes in the Bosnian Serb Army and the ethnic cleansing that was sure to follow. Their is a great photo of the Bosnian Serb armor sent to deal with lightly armed civilians. I'm sure your proud of them, the Bosnian Serb Army I mean. Now try and open your mind and wonder if all that B.S. you believe in is true. After all maybe its you who is full of shit.

Here is an excerpt of the article if in case you are to closed minded to go and check it out.

"Lt.-Col. Stogran admired the Muslim defenders' courage; they were making a valiant effort. But as he stood on the Gradina ridge that April 14, he knew the town was ripe for the taking. "We could see the valley that had recently been seized by the Serbs but had not yet been razed. I could distinctly hear screams coming from the area.... It was a sorrowful sight that I shall never forget," he wrote in his diary. Soon after, Lt.-Col. Stogran, two SAS soldiers and an interpreter reached the front-line trenches of the town's defenders: "The Muslim troops were not clad in uniforms, but were wearing the same clothing that they wore in the fields of their farms. Hunting rifles abounded, not assault rifles. They fired only single rounds in an effort to conserve ammunition and make every shot count. Those poor men reminded me of my relatives who farm on the Prairies -- not soldiers, and they made no bones about it. They were scared shitless, but had no alternative but to defend themselves," he later wrote in his diary."

60 posted on 02/13/2002 3:36:48 PM PST by Wraith
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