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Serbia warns war crimes suspects
BELGRADE, Yugoslavia -- Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic has appealed all war crimes suspects still at large to give themselves up. Djindjic, who heads Yugoslavia's dominant republic, said those indicted by the U.N. tribunal should give themselves up to the international court. In an interview with the private FoNet news agency on Sunday, Djindjic said his government will not shelter individuals sought by the U.N. tribunal.
Many held high posts during former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's regime. "My message to these persons is clear," Djindjic told FoNet. "Rather than hide behind their nation, these men who were once high officials of the state should go and relieve their people of the burden." Djindjic was instrumental in the extradition earlier this year of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to The Hague tribunal. Milosevic now awaits trial on charges for war crimes committed in Kosovo, Croatia and Bosnia. Serb nationalists and some of the country's new leadership, including Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica, criticised Djindjic over Milosevic's extradition, claiming it was illegal. Current laws ban the hand-over of Yugoslavs to foreign courts and new lawmakers have yet to pass legislation to change this situation. Djindjic contends that until new laws are adopted, his government will continue to extradite Yugoslavs according to the statute of The Hague tribunal. Along with Milosevic, The Hague tribunal has also indicted former Serbian Interior Minister Vlajko Stojiljkovic, Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Sainovic, a former army commander, General Dragoljub Ojdanic, and Serbian President Milan Milutinovic. They are all residents in Serbia, and Milutinovic is still in office. |
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NATO speeds Mladic, Karadzic hunt
December 13, 2001 Bosnians hail Milosevic move November 23, 2001 Milosevic: End suicide watch October 30, 2001 Milosevic faces fresh U.N. charge October 9, 2001 Milosevic spurns Hague lawyers September 7, 2001 Milosevic faces Croatia war charge September 28, 2001 RELATED SITE:
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
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