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CNN Live Sunday
Decree for Milosevic Extradition Enacted, Lawyers May Challenge
Aired June 24, 2001 - 16:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: In Yugoslavia, a decree that sets the stage for the extradition for former president Slobodan Milosevic takes affect today. But it might be awhile before Milosevic makes that trip to the Hague, because today, his lawyers said they plan to challenge the decree. CNN's Alessio Vinci has reaction now from Belgrade.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hours after the Yugoslav government approved its decree on cooperation of U.N. war crimes tribunal, a handful of Milosevic's die hard supporters gathered in front of the prison where the former president has been held since April 1.
On the walls of the prison's gate, graffiti reads, "Milosevic Hero." And this is what these people here think about the man they still call their president.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I'm here to defend President Milosevic and the graves of our sons killed in different wars. This decree is a shame for our nation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I'm here to give support to our president Milosevic and to say this government is ruling against the constitution, and they will all find themselves in this prison one day, but longer than our president.
VINCI: But away from the prison, support from Milosevic's extradition appears to be growing, while months ago, only a fraction of the population wanted him tried for war crimes at the Hague tribunal, now people appear to be equally divided between those in favor and those against extradition.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Of course, we should hand him over. We should have done it in October last year. He should not have been left sitting in his villa, but transferred where he belongs.
VINCI: Most say Milosevic's expected extradition will not spark any huge protest; still, even from behind prison bars, the former Balkan strongman appears to be polarizing society. STEVEN KIKSIC, ANALYST: We are still hostages of Milosevic, because I think that this story -- the name of Milosevic has this very symbolic value. We are talking about symbols. There's still lots of emotions in this story.
VINCI: Milosevic's lawyers say it could take at least two weeks before any war crime suspect is handed over to the war crimes tribunal, but most people here have seemed to accepted the fact that the former president will soon be tried at the Hague.
(on camera): And that besides proving Yugoslavia is serious about fulfilling its international commitments will also bring economic benefits. Once war crime suspects are handed over to the U.N. War Crimes Tribunal, the West has promised to release hundreds of millions of dollars in economic assistance.
Alessio Vinci, CNN, Belgrade.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NELSON: An extradition fight by Milosevic no doubt add to the financial and political pressure that Yugoslavia now faces. Joining us now with more perspective is Roy Gutman; he is the diplomatic correspondent for "Newsweek".
Mr. Gutman, thanks for being with us.
ROY GUTMAN, "NEWSWEEK": Nice be here.
NELSON: Now that the decree's been issued, tell us what happens next.
GUTMAN: Well, there's a few days time that the government in Serbia and Yugoslavia has to decide who they send to the Hague, and in what order, and what timetable. It's up to them, because the U.S. government has made it very clear that it is not going to take part in this donor's conference starting next Friday, unless they have compliance with the demands of the Hague tribunal.
NELSON: This is interesting, because if Mr. Milosevic has planned -- drags out this whole affair with an appeal, he may drag it out past this conference. This must be a big worry to the Yugoslav government.
GUTMAN: And so therefore, I know within the American government, they're not really anticipating -- not holding their breath, expecting Milosevic in the next few days. What they are more likely to expect at least is some of the other indictees.
There's at least a dozen who are in Yugoslavia, either the closest aides of Milosevic, which have also been indicted in connection with the Kosovo conflict. There are senior army officers who were indicted during the Croatian war almost 10 years ago. There are also any number of others -- there might be Bosnian Serbs who are in Serbia.
I think what they want to see, in the American government, as far as I know, concrete results very shortly.
NELSON: Let me ask you something: if the Yugoslav officials are saying their country is pretty much bankrupt right now, would any of this be taking place if the country wasn't bankrupt? In other words, would Mr. Milosevic and the other war crimes suspects have anything to fear right now?
GUTMAN: Well, of course, you can tie it to the money, and I'm sure that's a very important factor right now. The fact is that Yugoslavia -- a democratic Yugoslavia needs international respect. It needs to be part of the international system; it needs to be accepted. This should not be the millstone around their necks now.
So, in a way, they have to conform with the demands of the tribunal. The tribunal was set up by the U.N. Security Council unanimously. So they have to support the tribunal for the reasons of rule of law if nothing else, but this obviously is forcing the issue.
NELSON: One final question very quickly: do you think this will divide Yugoslav society so badly that there will be massive demonstrations?
GUTMAN: You can be sure that Milosevic's rent-a-crowds will be out there in significant numbers, but I think a lot of people have just had it with the man, and they may be silent majority or they may speak.
NELSON: All right, thank you very much. Roy Gutman, diplomatic correspondent for "Newsweek", thanks for taking the time to talk to us.
GUTMAN: Nice to be here. Thanks.
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