THE HAGUE, Feb 28 (Hina) - Herbert Okun, deputy to U.N. envoy Cyrus Vance during the 1990s war in Croatia, on Friday wrapped his testimony at the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic before a U.N. war crimes tribunal
at The Hague.
THE HAGUE, Feb 28 (Hina) - Herbert Okun, deputy to U.N. envoy Cyrus
Vance during the 1990s war in Croatia, on Friday wrapped his
testimony at the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic before a U.N. war crimes tribunal at The Hague. #L#
Okun, a U.S. diplomat between 1955 and 1991, accompanied Vance on
every meeting with officials in the war-struck region, many of
which were with the defendant.
Okun took detailed notes of those meetings which subsequently
provided the basis for reports to the United Nations Security
Council, while the Hague tribunal used them as evidence to prove
that Milosevic had complete control over every move by the Serb side
at that time.
The prosecutor interrogated Okun by nine volumes of his notes that
were entered as evidence. Milosevic did the same when cross-
examining the witness, selecting notes and quotes which presented
him in a favourable light.
Okun said today that in the autumn of 1991 western politicians
believed that Milosevic, although not a federal official, was the
most important figure to talk to.
Milosevic claimed today he was only the president of Serbia without
any influence on the JNA, the former federal military, and that with
Serb rebel leaders he only used his reputation but did not issue
orders.
You were always the head figure, said Okun, recalling that Stalin
was the incontestable leader of the USSR between 1929 and 1953
although he held no state office.
Milosevic said he had no control over Milan Babic and Goran Hadzic,
Serb rebel leaders in Croatia. Okun said, however, that Vance was
coming to see Milosevic because in the autumn of 1991 he was the only
one who could make sure that Babic and Hadzic would comply with
Vance's plan.
Milosevic said he was asked to influence them and that now, instead
of being commended he was accused of controlling them.
Speaking of his signature on a cease-fire agreement in Croatia, the
defendant said he had invested his reputation to stop the killing.
Okun countered by saying he signed the document because he had full
control.
Milosevic's signature on truces in Croatia and Bosnia and
Herzegovina and the Dayton peace accords undermines his argument
that as Serbia's president his influence on events was limited.
Okun said that at the start of the war in Croatia, Milosevic
informed him and Vance about 140,000 Serb refugees from western
Slavonia whereas their examination of the region's census showed
the figure was between 40,000 and 50,000.
The defendant tried to have Okun confirm Milosevic made "peace-
building statements" at the meetings, but the veteran of United
States diplomacy usually said he only took precise notes of what was
said.
Okun rejected every attempt Milosevic made to transfer guilt for
the casualties on Croatia, which the defendant said "was attacking
UNPA zones", by claiming that the main problem was the Serbs'
refusal to demilitarise. He also dismissed Milosevic's attempts to
question Croatia's sovereignty in U.N.-protected zones, reminding
the former Serbian president that Croatia was internationally
recognised and a U.N. member.
Many questions referred to events in Bosnia, with Milosevic
claiming he had nothing to do with the Serb crimes.
Okun quoted Milosevic in the summer of 1992 as asking Vance if he
thought Milosevic wanted a war in Bosnia, to which Vance replied
that it seemed so.
Okun also noted that Milosevic feigned surprised when told that
Arkan was in Bjeljina.
Presiding judge Richard May often interrupted the cross-
examination by saying Milosevic was asking rhetorical questions
and prejudging the testimony.
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