Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 816

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - Slobodan Milosevic, the former Yugoslav leader who orchestrated the Balkan wars of the 1990s and was on trial for war crimes, was found dead in his prison cell near The Hague, the U.N. tribunal said Saturday.

Milosevic, 64, apparently died of natural causes, a tribunal press officer said. He was found dead in his bed at the U.N. detention center.

Milosevic has been on trial since February 2002, defending himself against 66 counts of crimes, including genocide, in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo.

The trial repeatedly was interrupted by Milosevic's poor health and chronic heart condition. It was recessed last week until Tuesday to await his next defense witness.

His death comes less than a week after the star witness in his trial, former Croatian Serb leader Milan Babic, was found dead in the same prison. Babic, who was serving a 13-year prison sentence, committed suicide. He testified against Milosevic in 2002.

A figure of beguiling charm and cunning ruthlessness, Milosevic was a master tactician who turned his country's defeats into personal victories and held onto power for 13 years despite losing four wars that shattered his nation and impoverished his people.

Milosevic led Serbia, the dominant Yugoslav republic, into four Balkan wars, but always managed to emerge politically stronger. The secret of his survival was his uncanny ability to exploit what less adroit figures would consider a fatal blow.

Each time he would bounce back, skillfully reinventing himself in a series of political transformations _ as a devout communist, a reform-minded nationalist, and again as a communist at a time when most of the world had abandoned Marxist ideology.

He once described himself as the "Ayatollah Khomeini of Serbia," assuring his prime minister, Milan Panic, that "the Serbs will follow me no matter what." For years, they did _ through wars which dismembered Yugoslavia and plunged what was left of the country into social, political, moral and economic ruin.

But in the end, his people abandoned him: first in October 2000, when he was unable to convince the majority of Yugoslavs that he had staved off electoral defeat by his successor, Vojislav Kostunica, and again on April 1, 2001, when he surrendered after a 26-hour standoff to face criminal charges stemming from his ruinous rule.

~ Associated Press

Will the poor Bosnian's ever get there justice? Will this ever be over? What happened to Tito's Yugoslavia?? Sad

Rick · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:20 pm Post subject:

'Slobo'... My city's most famous inhabitant. Before the queen and everyone else. I can't think of anyone who did more for it's international name and reputation. Wink

Even though he was in prison... Razz

On a nice location though: Scheveningen, the seaside resort. Don't know if he had a window facing the sea.

Milan Babic suicide this week was by hanging. He used his tie: apparently quite a popular suicide tool for serbian war criminals: another guy did the same about 2 years ago.

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 816

The prision was on a sea side resort?! I heard Dutch prisions were nice but a sea side resort! Shocked

Rick · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:28 pm Post subject:

Well.. it's quite near the sea, but not exactly on the beach or the boulevard. I don't think you can actually take a dive there. The reason it's there is probably just because there was space enough in the dunes for it. There's a military area near it as well.

I am quite sure our friend Slobo didn't consider his stay there a holiday.

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 816

I'm sure he didnt think of it is a little vacation! Laughing

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 816

According to the BBC a full autopsy has been order on Mr. Milosvic at the family's request. The family suspects that the Hague tribunal was responsible for his death.

Isnt his wife still hiding in a "undisclosed" location in Russia? I feel the worst for her, she probably had to here about his death on the news.

Rick · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:22 am Post subject:

Well.. You can expect the autopsy to be a standard procedure in these cases. No one wants any weird rumours to spread. Though he died quite suddenly, there seemed to be no suspicious circumstances around it. His health had been bad throughout the trial as well.
And why would anyone want to kill Milosevic? He was just about to face a long sentence. I don't think he'd be prepared to testify against others either.

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

Slobodan Miloševic was a modern day Hitler. I'd say many people wanted him dead. Vengeance is a strong feeling and for some to know that he would spend his life in jail was not enough. I would not be surprised to find out that he was murdered in jail.

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 816

I can think of a lot of people who like to kill him. Smile

Bosnians, Croats, Slovenes, and even some Serbians.

I really think that they should have let him come to Moscow to get treatment, that way he could be in good health and we could end this three year circus.

Rick · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 7:06 pm Post subject:

Can't you read the sarcasm? Wink

I'd say he probably died a natural death and this way got away easily in the end. Many of the victims of his regime will be unsatisfied, if satisfaction would even ever be possible for them..

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 816

Yes I can understand the sarcasm. I was just messing with you. Smile

The AP just broke word that an autopsy confirmed he died of a heart attack. No funeral arrangements have been announced. His family made a statement today saying that they wish to attend the funeral. This makes Slobo's burial in Serbia unlikely as most of his family is wanted there. The most likely place for his burial is in Russia.

Just what y'all need, another unpopular dictator buried in your country! Rolling Eyes

Looks like this case is closed and this chapter ins Slavic history has come to a close.

vorteks · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 1:15 am Post subject:

Speaking of war criminals, when will Dubyas trial start in The Hague or is the court only reserved to defeated criminals? Twisted Evil

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

Speaking of world rescuers, when will everybody see that this man of honor is saving the world?

Welcome back Vorteks.

vorteks · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 4:02 am Post subject:

You missed me so much hun?

L amour, toujours l amour....

Btw, would you give me the address of that plastic surgeon of yours? Your sex change is a wonder Wink

PS : Your "man of honor" has a long big nose...may be that s why the pic was taken front side Very Happy

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house,..., nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Sleep in Peace, Good Citizen.

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784