DATE=7/31/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=YUGOSLAVIA/DUTCH ARRESTS
NUMBER=2-264999
BYLINE=STEFAN BOS
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Dutch Ministry of Defense says Yugoslav
authorities have arrested four Dutch citizens on
suspicion they wanted to assassinate President
Slobodan Milosevic. Stefan Bos reports from Budapest
that Yugoslav authorities have released videotape of
the men, a move that has triggered sharp criticism
from Dutch officials.
TEXT: Yugoslavia's Ministry of Information released
the videotape Monday showing one of the four men
saying his group wanted to kidnap Yugoslav President
Slobodan Milosevic so he could be brought to face war
crimes charges at the International Tribunal in the
Hague. They also allegedly considered killing Mr.
Milosevic, if the kidnap went wrong.
It is unclear if the confession was forced. Dutch
officials were surprised that the videotape was
released before the Netherlands was even informed of
the arrests.
The Press Attache at the Dutch Embassy in Belgrade,
Paul van Oostveen, told VOA News the Netherlands will
do all it can to support the four men.
/// VAN OOSTVEEN ACT ///
We had not expected some story like this at all.
But when it is about Dutch citizens, we will of
course use all the possibilities we have, all
efforts, to help them.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. van Oostveen stressed it may be a long and
difficult road to arrive at a diplomatic solution
between Yugoslavia and the Netherlands, which
supported last years NATO air strikes during the
crisis in Kosovo.
Yugoslavia's information Minister Goran Matic defended
the release of the videotape, saying it proved the
four men were hired by foreign intelligence to attack
Serb leaders. Mr. Matic says the Dutch nationals were
arrested in a border area between the Yugoslav
Republics of Serbia and Montenegro.
The Yugoslav official told reporters the group was on
its way to meet Dutch soldiers in Serbia's Kosovo-
province, to pick up weapons for possible terrorist
actions against President Milosevic and others. This
is not the first time Yugoslavia has alleged that
foreign nationals were involved in planning such
attacks. Last year, Yugoslavia claimed it had
cracked down on a French terrorist organization which
Yugoslav officials say planned to kill the Yugoslav
leader. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/KBK
31-Jul-2000 19:22 PM EDT (31-Jul-2000 2322 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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