WASHINGTON, April 1 (Hina) - US President George Bush on Sunday hailed the apprehension of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic, describing the arrest as "an important step" by Belgrade authorities towards a law-based state
and democracy.
WASHINGTON, April 1 (Hina) - US President George Bush on Sunday
hailed the apprehension of former Yugoslav president Slobodan
Milosevic, describing the arrest as "an important step" by Belgrade
authorities towards a law-based state and democracy. #L#
I welcome today's apprehension of Slobodan Milosevic as "an
important step in bringing to a close the tragic era of his brutal
dictatorship," Bush said in a statement.
Milosevic is responsible for horrendous suffering in the entire
Balkans. He must be tried for crimes against humanity. He must be
tried for violations of international law. "We cannot and must not
forget the chilling images of terrified women and children herded
onto trains, emaciated prisoners interned behind barbed wire and
mass graves unearthed by U.N. investigators," Bush said.
"Milosevic's arrest should be a first step toward trying him for the
crimes against humanity with which he is charged."
I am convinced Yugoslavia will continue to cooperate with the UN war
crimes tribunal, the statement reads.
Bush said he was encouraged by the action carried out by Belgrade
authorities who have during the past weeks began cooperating with
the international tribunal, including providing assistance with
the extradition of two indictees to The Hague.
I call on President Vojislav Kostunica to continue such cooperation
and make sure Milosevic is also brought before justice, the
statement said.
"I assure the Yugoslav government and people that they can count on
the friendship of the United States as they continue down the path
of democratic and economic reform," Bush said, expressing
expectation for the day when Yugoslavia will fully become a part of
a unified, free and peaceful Europe.
Slobodan Milosevic, known as the Butcher of the Balkans because of
several horrendous wars he launched in the peninsula, was
apprehended in Belgrade at about 04.30 am Sunday following a 30-
hour-long stand-off between the police and his security guards, and
was whisked away to prison.
(hina) lml