"Hague rulings undermining cooperation"

Rasim Ljajic says the acquittals of Ramush Haradinaj and Naser Oric are undermining Serbia’s efforts to show that cooperation with the Hague is vital. The president of the National Council for Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal said that after the acquittals “there’s not a single person in Serbia who doesn't think that court is a political, as opposed to legal institution,” adding that “despite all the problems, we must continue to cooperate with that court, because it is in Serbia’s interests.” "Hague rulings undermining cooperation" Ljajic added that according to opinion polls conducted prior to Haradinaj’s release, 76 percent of people felt that the Tribunal was a political institution, pointing out that this figure would now be closer to 99.99 percent. He said that Belgrade’s room for manoeuvre in reacting to the two acquittals was virtually non-existent, and that “other than expressing political opinions and assessments,” in practice, it was unlikely that any effective steps could be taken. “This is just another kick in the teeth for us on our path to reaching full cooperation with the Tribunal. And, it raises the question of the Hague’s purpose, as such rulings are very unlikely to help uncover the truth and encourage the reconciliation process,” he said. Rasim Ljajic (FoNet, archive)

"Hague rulings undermining cooperation"

Ljajić added that according to opinion polls conducted prior to Haradinaj’s release, 76 percent of people felt that the Tribunal was a political institution, pointing out that this figure would now be closer to 99.99 percent.

He said that Belgrade’s room for manoeuvre in reacting to the two acquittals was virtually non-existent, and that “other than expressing political opinions and assessments,” in practice, it was unlikely that any effective steps could be taken.

“This is just another kick in the teeth for us on our path to reaching full cooperation with the Tribunal. And, it raises the question of the Hague’s purpose, as such rulings are very unlikely to help uncover the truth and encourage the reconciliation process,” he said.