Protests, discussions in Belgrade
By Tanja Djurovic,
Belgrade, June 27, 2001
Talks of Yugoslav president Vojislav Kostunica with delegation of Socialist party of Serbia (SPS) regarding Slobodan Milosevic's destiny continued on June 27 after SPS highest officials were exceptionally received in Palace of Federation cabinet late Tuesday night.
Direct cause: a big protest meeting "Freedom for Slobodan Milosevic" and that official procedures to extradite former Yugoslav president to Hague Tribunal for war crimes have begun.
Milosevic has been in Belgrade Central prison since April 1. Up to this moment he has been charged by Serbian authorities only for abuse of office and corruption.
The Hague indictment, raised in May 1999 by Chief prosecutor Karla Del Ponte, charges ex-president Milosevic with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Kosovo and Metohija during NATO bombing of Yugoslavia two years ago.
However, people of Yugoslavia and Serbia, or their representatives in Parliament have not yet been asked about extradition to the Hague. For they would have said no.
In a biggest gathering in Yugoslav capital since putsch that overthrew the SPS government in October last year, tens of thousands of citizens attended SPS-organized rally in Belgrade's central Republic Square on June 26.
Supporters of Serbian socialists were joined by all patriotically-oriented Belgraders, young and old alike, protesting against Federal government "Decree" which allows the extradition of Yugoslav citizens to Hague Tribunal. This sub-law act was voted by ruling Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) ministers, taking effect last weekend (June 23-24).
When the DOS coalition came to power, it came with slogan "For a better life". Now, to live better, we have to sell Serbs. And Serbia doesn't like traitors, SPS leaders gave the message to crowd gathered on Republic Square.
They demanded the annulment of "Hague-decree", resignations of Federal and Republic government, and new federal elections.
"Once a Serb is put on trial, the whole of Serbia will stand accused, especially if this is Slobodan Milosevic. DOS decision is unconstitutional and it is a disgrace to all of the country," said SPS vice-president Branislav Ivkovic.
More than two thirds of Yugoslav population is against the extradition for this very reason.
"Names of those who signed anti-constitutional, capitulation document will stay written in history," declared Zoran Andjelkovic, general secretary of Socialist party. He threatened that all Serbia will stop in a general protest against the DOS government, if Milosevic is indeed extradited.
Gathered citizens reacted especially angrily to the name of Serbian Premier Zoran Djindjic, whom they called "German in Serbia." Apart from usual posters saying “Treason!” and “We won't give up anybody,” Yugoslav flags and pictures of ex-president Milosevic, demonstrators were also carrying banners proclaiming “America wipes the floor with the world, and Germany with Europe.”
"Do you want to go to Scheveningen, Serbia?" asked Zivadin Jovanovic, SPS acting president following Milosevic’s arrest, at the end of the meeting. He invited Yugoslavs to raise their hands then and there, in a vote for freedom.
After Republic Square rally, demonstrators marched through the capital to the Palace of Federation building, where dozens of policemen equipped with shields formed a cordon to prevent any protesters from entering, while SPS delegation demanded and got an reception by Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kostunica admitted that Federal government "Decree" has many inaccuracies in legal sense, but is "better than nothing". On an extraordinary press conference, Yugoslav president endeavored to explain a sudden change of his firm legalist beliefs, admitting that country has no choice but to cooperate with Hague.
"My stand, that cooperation should be established within legal frameworks and that the indicted be tried in our country hasn't changed," Kostunica said, complaining however that he and his party had no support within his own DOS coalition. Trying to wash his hands off from the responsibility he is to share along with other leaders of Serbian ruling coalition, Kostunica described some of his coalition partners as "Hague profiteers".
President Kostunica denied that extradition of his predecessor, Milosevic, can happen in time for Brussels Donors’ conference scheduled for Friday, June 29.
"This is not the question of money, but of reintegration and normalization of relationship with international community and relations in the country itself" Kostunica finished unconvincingly.
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