Archive for the month of June 2010
Karadzic requests documents from Germany
Balkanblog — June 24, 2010 - 07:26
In a new attempt to stall proceedings, Karadzic's defense team has requested reports, memorandums, correspondence and reports of the German intelligence service related to arms shipments to Bosnia, and above all to Srebrenica, in 1995. Karadzic claims it proves that western governments were taking an active part in the Bosnian war.
Deutsche Welle reported that the German government will appeal the decision because it believes the request may endanger its national and security interests.
My first Father's Day present ever
stplanken — June 20, 2010 - 10:19
Today is my first Father's Day ever and I received a nice card from Sophie (and Tanya, of course). This is by far the best card I have ever received:
ICTY chief prosecutor asks Serbia to expand search for fugitives
Balkanblog — June 20, 2010 - 09:41
ICTYT chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz and tribunal president Patrick Robinson presented their report to the UN Security Council on the cooperation of Serbia. Brammertz said that Serbia's hunt for Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadžic has yielded only limited results and recommended Serbia make some changes in its hunt for the two remaining fugitives. Brammertz recently asked the Serbian government to expanding the investigation and increase search operations.
Source: B92.
EP adopts resolution on Bosnia: country unstable
Balkanblog — June 18, 2010 - 16:37
The European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution on Bosnia-Herzegovina in which it expresses concern over the instability and blamed the country's leaders for a lack of will. The use of nationalistic has undermined relations between the Serb, Muslim and Croat communities.
Source: B92.
Family Mladic asks Belgrade court to declare him dead
Balkanblog — June 17, 2010 - 17:14
The family of Ratko Mladic has asked the Principal Court in Belgrade to declare him officially dead. A motion was filed by the family's lawyer, Milos Saljic. He said that the fmily has not heard from Mladic since years and that he could not have survived without medical care.
This motion comes shortly after the EU unanimously agreed to ratify the SAA trade agreement with Serbia. Mladic is one of the last remaining fugitives wanted by ICTY for war crimes.
Sophie eating yogurt
stplanken — June 17, 2010 - 13:52
Sophie (6 months) tasted yogurt for the first time today. Can't say she liked it but she didn't reject it either. Aren't babies great in accepting new flavors without questioning (yogurt is not the easiest flavor to accept).
Why you should be wary of subcontractors
stplanken — June 15, 2010 - 22:44
The first day of this job looked good, primer looked good, he was using masking tape, I had a good feeling about this.
Until I came home today...
This is how something simple turns into something really expensive or time-consuming. This is why you should be wary of subcontractors.
EULEX satisfied with Kosovo corruption investigation
Balkanblog — June 14, 2010 - 17:01
EULEX indicated it is satisfied with the investigation against Kosovo Transport and Telecommunications Minister Fatmir Limaj. The investigation is still ongoing.
Source: B92.
SAA ratification for Serbia
Balkanblog — June 14, 2010 - 16:35
The EU will proceed and ratify the Association and Stabilization Agreement for Serbia. The decision follows a positive report by ICTY chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz on the cooperation by Serbia with the international tribunal to capture Ratko Mladic. Outgoing Dutch foreign minister Maxime Verhagen confirmed the decision.
Croatia is being criticized by Brammertz for being reluctant to hand over the war diaries of former general Ante Gotovina. Croatia was supposed to arrest him as a pre-condition to start accession talks with the EU.
Mass grave discovered near Bratunac
Balkanblog — June 12, 2010 - 10:46
AP reported that a truck driver dumping gravel as a construction site near the Bosnian town of Bratunac discovered human bones. His findings were reported in May and since then, witnesses have come forward saying that a number of Muslims killed by Serbs in the beginning of the 1992-1995 war are buried there. Excavations have commenced.
Source: AP.
NATO delays KFOR reduction
Balkanblog — June 12, 2010 - 10:38
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that a planned reduction of the KFOR mission will not take place until the security situation in Kosovo has been reviewed.
Source: SE Times.
Human Rights Watch: arrest Mladic then ratify SAA
Balkanblog — June 12, 2010 - 10:32
In a letter to EU foreign affairs ministers, Human Rights Watch said that the EU should remain firm and require Serbia to arrest Ratko Mladic before allowing Serbia to establish closer ties with the EU. The statement comes just before the EU Foreign Affairs Council will consider the ratification process for the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia.