Slobodan Milosevic was found dead in his cell at The Hague just days after being refused medical treatment in Russia. He suffered from high blood pressure and heart problems, and had claimed in recent months that he was being poisoned.
Some of his former political allies are already claiming him as a martyr. Ivica Dacic, leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia, was quoted as saying "It is of major importance for the future of our country that through his defence and the fact he died without being convicted, Milosevic had managed to defend national and state interests."
Claiming him a hero for dying, rather than betray Serbia, could stir bellicism in a region torn apart by racist nationalism. To many Serbs, Milosevic was a state hero. To others he was a political parasite. To Croats and Bosnians he will always be remembered simply as evil. However he is remembered, his death will not bring peace or closure to an area still feeling the effects of terrible wars.
This is a dark time for those hoping for justice in the war-torn former Yugoslavia and at the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia (ICTY). His death comes just days after Milan Babic was found dead in his prison cell - it is presumed he committed suicide. Babic was due to provide evidence against Milosevic - that could also have been used in the future trials of fugitive war crimes suspects Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic - in the coming weeks.
The impetus to obtain justice for victims of war crimes will survive but the death of Mr Milosevic - the only former President to be indicted for crimes against humanity – could undermine the work of the most important court to be established in Europe since the end of the World War II.
Article comments
1 - Scott Butki
I found myself upset last nite that he died. Not because I didn't want him to die but because I wanted him to get through the trial, be sentenced and pay for his actions.
A natural death seems too easy an out for him.
I mean, how would we feel if Hussein died tomorrow of natural causes? I bet we'd feel cheated of justice and vengence, even if we don't use words like that for fear of sounding too
bloodthirsty.
Great piece, Al:)
2 - A.L. Harper
Thanks Scott!
One of the quotes I read when writing this piece was a woman who said she would rather he had dropped dead seconds after hearing the verdict than to escape justice in this way. She said she wished her husband had lived long enough to die of natural causes. If indeed it was natural causes of course.
He had accused his jailers for poisoning him recently. I look forward to hearing the result of the autopsy in a few days time.
And I hope they round up the rest of the war crimes suspects. Which will hopefully happen soon, now that Serbia wants to be considered for membership in the EU.
3 - Jeff
He paid for his actions. What do want? A pound of flesh? That aligns with Slobadon's philosophy.
4 - A.L. Harper
Jeff -
I'm afraid that a pound of flesh wouldn't begin to cover it. What I would really want for the people of the Balkans would be closure, justice and peace. None of those things can come from his premature death.
5 - SFC SKI
THe most deserved means of death that Milosev, Hussein, and a few others should receive is the same one Mussolini got, that was an example of closure that was very fitting.
Anyone who says tyrants such as those do not deserve death by any means have no idea of just what suffering men like them put their own people and others through.
This is probably the best news I have heard all day.
6 - A.L. Harper
SFC -
I think the punishment is irrelevant really. I think that he as a person ceased to be relevant as a human being once he instigated those hideous acts of genocide.
The only way he could have been relevant would be as a matter of healing to the people of the Balkans. If he had to face justice, whatever the punishment, the whole region could have moved forward rather than to stagnate around the issue of his guilt or innocence.
Now that will never happen and thousands will continue to suffer on his account.
7 - Scott Butki
I would not call waiting in jail for trial to be completed "paying for your actions"
Again, see my comparison to Hussein. If he died right now would people feel he paid for his actions.
I think one needs to be sentenced before they truly start getting really repentful.
8 - Hosey
Hussain should have been run over with a tank.
9 - Joey
None of the retribution you all are coming up with will EVER happen as long as there is a press corp tagging along.
10 - nitpicker
Mass murderers do not deserve an epitaph.
11 - Scott Butki
When in doubt,blame the press, eh?
12 - A.L. Harper
Joey -
I think Justice would be better than retribution. And the press corp are very important. They help to keep things above board.
13 - Scott Butki
Right. Blaming the press is a straw man argument.
Is it the press' fault that he had a heart attack or that he was not killed? If so, how?
I thought there were laws and rules and other items that establish what should be done with people, even bad men like this murderer.
14 - SFC SKI
no argument here, "he as a person ceased to be relevant as a human being once he instigated those hideous acts of genocide."
As for the press, I doubt it has spent much time in the last 2 days going back over just what Milosevic did to put him in jail, as they have with Saddam Hussein.
The name Eason Jordan ring a bell?
Not all the blame can be laid at the feet of the press, though. After all, its job is not to teach history. Unfortunately, most Americans will read/see only what's put in front of them, and nothing further. I'd wager it is a small pecentage that actuall hear about something on the news and research it to find the background. High school History classes probably haven't even addressed Desert Storm, let alone the Balkans conflict.
15 - Scott Butki
You don't think the obituaries and news stories of his death talked about why he was in jail in the first place?
16 - A.L. Harper
SFC -
I can't give an opinion about the American press but here in the UK they are very clear about what Milosevic did to end up in The Hague and more and more about Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic as well.
When a man uses his political position to push an illegal war - weather it is for religious reasons or political ones - that causes thousands of deaths then the world, in general, will always remember what an evil man he was. Hopefully the victims of men like these will find justice and peace.
17 - tommyd
What utter ignorance of fools who think everything they see is in black and white. You people have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to the Balkans. Pretty much no one's qualified when it comes to the Balkans save for those people that actually lived there and saw there OWN SERB PEOPLE BUTCHERED ON SERBIAN LAND BY MUSLIM ALBANIAN MILITIAS SUPPORTED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA YOU BLATHERING IDIOTIC FOOLS.
So when you all step down from your little high chairs of self-righteousness like Milosevic=Evil, Myself/My Country=Perfect, go and do some deep studying on the region (it will take you a long time) the history and culture of the Balkans so you don't all look like idiots when you speak nonsense such as "Butcher of Balkans"....like there was only one guy responsible for it all. Jeez.
18 - Nancy
Feeling a little nationalistic today, are we?
19 - A.L. Harper
Tommy -
I have actually been to the region and had long deep political discussions about this very subject with my Serbian friend and neighbour.
But thank you for the advice.
20 - Goodie
I think I'm more aware of this situation than most; however everyone's opinion is needed (its keeps us America the free as opposed to War torn America). I have spent time in Kosovo as an US Soldier as well as Afghanistan and Iraq. Slobodan was no different than any other Tyrant that ruled, dictated or influences their region or the world. Saddam and Slobodan both are responsible for over 50,000 civilians deaths each, Osama’s responsible for at least 3,500 American civilian deaths not to mention other countries which we have no way of tracking, Hitler was responsible for the deaths of over 6 million people of Jewish Descent and Joseph Stalin nearly double that. I understand and am not trying to abdicate what anyone has expressed about the "Balkan Butcher", what I am saying is that I have seem and in some way felt the pain of the people of Serbia, Afghanistan, and Iraq and if we/they have arrived at the point where Milosevic death means no justice, we need to better ourselves. I know it is not easy being persecuted for who you are with, at best a quick death would be merciful, but we are stronger than this. I have had teenage Soldiers whom I was responsible die and it hurts and you think you'll never get past it; but we as a society MUST. If we don't they'll continue to be Hitters, Saddams, Bin Ladens, and many more power hungry sadistic people who push their agenda and succeed to genocidal proportions.