The US doesn't care anymore? A troubling development in the hunt for Karadzic
Neretva River and others have posted on the comments made by US Ambassador-at-Large for war crimes Clint Williamson about the Balkan tribunals.
Most of what was reported about Williamson's comments are that the ICTY will keep its doors open until 2010 for Karadzic and Mladic. We already knew that.
Williamson's most astonishing comment, buried in the west but on front pages in Belgrade and Podgorica, was that Karadzic was probably in Serbia.
"The United States thinks that Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic are in Serbia,” he said. He added that Karadzic spends most of his time in Serbia but sometimes goes to the Republika Srpska and other places in the region.
Where did this come from? When has Karadzic ever been alleged to be in Serbia? Ms. Del Ponte presently asserts that Karadzic's whereabouts are unknown, and before that had maintained for years that Karadzic was probably in the RS or Montenegro. Serbia, Mr. Williamson?? Based on what??
My cynical side points me to a certain conclusion: the United States wants Montenegro's quick accession into PfP and NATO so that Montenegro can supplement NATO forces in Afghanistan. This process cannot be expedited if Montenegro is considered non-compliant with war crimes hunting demands.
What better man than Williamson, a former ICTY prosecutor and present Bush administration insider, to use his haughty title to shroud Montenegro's role as a Karadzic sanctuary?
What saddens me the most about this is that I once thought the United States was the most vigilant country in pursuing Karadzic. Now it seems the Americans have lost all interest.
posted by Balkan Ghost @ 5:15 PM
13 Comments:
This lends credence to the theory that Mladic and Karadzic were promised they'd never be captured. Anyway huge segments of the American conservative movement, the Republican party and the 'Christian' right, are totally in the pocket of the worst elements of the Serbian lobby. I shouldn't need to tell you that. Basically all dealings with the former East Bloc places are a stupid, cynical, short sighted sham. It's not like Montenegro can REALLY supply a lot of troops, ditto Serbia, BiH, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, they can supply some, and their troops are good troops don't get me wrong, definately cheaper than the highly expensive contractors. Even as contractors these guys are cheaper than American soldiers, the thing is that there are not enough of them for this to be a motive. I think someone owes someone some kind of favors.
Well, all this is possible. But shouldn't the simplest explanation be ruled out first? Since Montenegro becmae independent of Serbia Karadzic's friends there may have found their influence and ability to protect him lessened, hence - if he was in Montenegro before - a move to Serbia.
well, all it's possible, but i don't think so.
The truth is than no one is really intersted to the Radovan's capture.
Well. I'll do this.
Perhaps the US intelligence actually has some information indicating that he is in Serbia. I don't work for the CIA so I can't know this for sure, but it seems to me like that's a possbility that can't be overlooked. Or would that be too simple and obvious for the conspiracy-minded?
Balkan Ghost, my friend; I have not been here in a while. For this I apologize. I believe my pride and "knowledge" of certain facts has lead me to grow angry at you and the like who follow the norm, so to speak. Jebiga!
Your message in this post I have been trying to convey time and time again. Sorry if I spoke in code in previous comments, for it was not my intent.
Balkan Ghost, what type of war are the Americans waging? A war against global Islam and her terrorists. Do you think for even a second America would risk a vital ally in this war on Islamic terror for one or two men? How ironic Serbia is now an ally! :)
One thing I can promise you is; Karadzic and Mladic are not in the R/S! They just aren’t! Trust me!
To make this long post shorter...
I'm two men here...I'm a man who wishes the capture of the men you seek. I'm also a man who wishes their continued elusiveness due to my boy and his understanding of the "facts" as most ordinary Serb citizens know them.
Understand this and you will get your men!
But you can only get them on your own...continued hope on SFOR, the EU and the UN has proven for over 10 years to be futile.
I do not claim to be all knowing! I'm just the opposite to be frank. The truth is there for all to see; even the blind.
Respectfully,
John
Something I left out...anyone associated with the ICTY should never be recommended in this hunt! No disrespect to the man/woman named here but...the real individuals who are responsible for the "capture" will never be known publicly; if this caputre ever comes to be. And I’m sure the ICTY will have no play in this!
Ms. Yakima,
I would have agreed with you around 1999, or earlier. Since then I've seen a lot of emphasis shed from force protection and strict construal of the wording of Dayton to a real willingness to catch these guys. It now seems to me a case of ennui and mission fatigue after real efforts that showed no results for the top two.
I'd be interested in seeing an exploration of the American right wing connection with the Serbian lobby you describe. Is there anything written on it?
Mr. Owen,
I think what you say would be a lot more plausible if Karadzic had real ties and network in Belgrade, as Mladic does. My sense is that with his limited Belgrade connections and the international pressure on Serbia, that K is more likely to be where his network remains (RS, CG) or the unexpected (Ukraine, Greece).
Anonymous,
I would caution against overestimating the American intelligence capabilities anywhere in the former Yugoslavia. I can't think of the last time they've got something important right there.
John,
Your post reminds me of John Kerry saying "I voted for the war before I voted against it." On some issues I can appreciate ambiguity and nuance, but don't see how someone can both favor and oppose Karadzic's capture. I also don't think America is cultivating Serbia as an ally; to the contrary, Serbia seems to be accumulating an excessive share of international criticism. I've spoken out for quite some time about the folly of blaming Serbia for Karadzic.
LOL! That's why you and you pals at the ICTY will never get him! :(
I now understand more about you with your Kerry analogy...too bad.
Who cares. Leave Serbia alone leave karadzic and mladic alone. There was never a so-called genocide of silly Muslim slavs
Well, in the light of Aug 2008 it appears, he WAS right. How much about K's whereabouts did he really know? Why didn't the US do something about it? Questions that should be raised now!
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