DATE=8/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=DUTCH / YUGOSLAVIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265500
BYLINE=STEFAN BOS
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Dutch diplomats in Belgrade have expressed
concern about the medical condition of four Dutch
citizens who are being held on suspicion of plotting
to kidnap or kill Yugoslavia's President Slobodan
Milosevic. Stefan Bos in Budapest reports the
diplomats spoke after they were granted access to the
prisoners for the first time.
TEXT: The four Dutch men were arrested nearly one
month ago. But Dutch diplomats were not permitted
access to them until Tuesday.
After four hours of talks, the top Dutch diplomat in
Belgrade, Kees Klompenhouwer, told reporters that the
four Dutch citizens had gone through a difficult
experience since they were arrested.
/// KLOMPENHOUWER ACT ///
They have been going trough a difficult time.
Their present situation is reasonably well. But
this needs to be followed up. In particular,
their medical condition will need close
attention, and of course, the development of the
legal procedure itself.
/// END ACT ///
Lawyer Zoran Jovanovic, who represents three of the
four men, was not allowed direct contact with his
clients until Tuesday. In an interview, Mr. Jovanovic
said his clients may have been forced into videotaped
confessions that were broadcast on Yugoslav
television. In those statements, the men said they
entered Yugoslavia to kidnap or kill President
Slobodan Milosevic.
Mr. Jovanovic said that based on his experience with
earlier clients, he did not rule out the possibility
that physical force was used to make sure the four men
made the statements.
/// JOVANOVIC ACT ///
It is possible. In my job I was in situations
where I could hear from my clients, and they
even said it in a trial, that they were beaten
by the police (into a confession) or something
like this
/// END ACT ///
Yugoslav Information Minister Goran Matic said the
videotape proves that the men were sent by Western
intelligence agencies that want to make a present of
what he called a "Serbian head" to the United States.
Both the Dutch government and the United Nations war
crimes tribunal in The Hague have denied any links to
the four. In addition, lawyer Jovanovic said he does
not believe the videotape could be used as evidence
in court.
On Tuesday, the four Dutch citizens faced their first
pre-trial court hearing. Although Mr. Jovanovic said
the defense's case is strong, he expressed doubts if
the four would be home by Christmas.
Critics of President Slobodan Milosevic have accused
the Yugoslav leader of using the case as part of a
propaganda campaign ahead of next month's elections.
(Signed)
NEB/SB/JWH/JP
15-Aug-2000 13:20 PM LOC (15-Aug-2000 1720 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
