Free Slobodan Milosevic!
December 17, 2002--The International Action Center demands the immediate release of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic from detention in NATO’s maximum-security prison near The Hague in the Netherlands.
Milosevic was kidnapped and transported from his homeland to stand trial for alleged war crimes during NATO’s wars on the Balkans. He’s been representing himself since mid-February at The Hague, where the U.S.-funded pro-NATO International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia sits.
The former president has defiantly refused to recognize the authority of a court that was illegally established--international war crimes tribunals can be constituted only by treaty among nations--and is waging a strong political and legal defense, often turning the tables on pro-NATO prosecutors.
Milosevic, who suffers from cardiovascular illness, has been conducting a convincing defense, but his life is being endangered. Exhausting, all-day court sessions, and the lack of specialized medical care, has worsened his health, in addition to the repressive conditions of his incarceration. The NATO prison has, in fact, already caused the deaths of inmates through inhumane treatment and lack of proper medical care.
Milosevic was president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in 1999 when that country heroically attempted to resist the latest imperialist aggression in the region on behalf of big business. The FRY was the last remaining obstacle to total re-colonization of the Balkans.
The 78-day terror bombing unleashed against the FRY deliberately targeted not only the Yugoslav military but also bridges, life-sustaining infrastructure and civilians. Thousands perished in the high-tech pounding. Whole industries, hospitals, schools and other institutions vital to life were devastated. The Chinese Embassy was purposely attacked, as was Radio-TV Serbia and Novi Sad TV. All were occupied at the time.
Since 1991, when the Clinton White House and the U.S. Congress instigated civil war in the Balkans, tens of thousands have perished. Multi-national unity has been ripped apart for capitalist exploitation, neo-colonial plunder and NATO’s expansion east.
The U.S.-led NATO alliance now needs scapegoats and show trials to justify their murderous aggression on Yugoslavia. The Hague tribunal was established to deflect attention from the fact that Washington and its NATO allies are the real war criminals in the Balkans--not Slobodan Milosevic who, as the symbol of resistance, was first demonized and then abducted to stand trial.
Ever wonder what became of the "mass graves" that NATO used to justify the bombing of Yugoslavia and occupation of Kosovo?
Milosevic has been forced to work under harsh conditions. But he has still succeeded in turning the show trial into an expose of NATO’s crimes against Yugoslavia—crimes against humanity and crimes against peace.
The International Action Center joins other organizations and individuals worldwide in demanding in one voice that Slobodan Milosevic be immediately released.
Solidarity and support comes from the Baghdad Conference of May 7-9, 2002; May 17-19, 2002 European Peace Forum; Dec. 11, 2002 Declaration of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation; 10,000 protesters at the Nov.19, 2002 demonstration in Belgrade, the Yugoslav capital; doctors’ organizations in Germany; and members of the International Committee for the Defense of Slobodan Milosevic.
Free Milosevic now! Abolish NATO!
International Action Center
December 17, 2002
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