BELGRADE -- The verdict in the trial before the International Court of Justice on Croatian and Serbian genocide lawsuits is expected in a year's time, says Rasim Ljajić.
BELGRADE -- The verdict in the trial before the International Court of Justice on Croatian and Serbian genocide lawsuits is expected in a year's time, says Rasim Ljajić.
Source: B92, Tanjug
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"I am more than convinced that we cannot lose that dispute, and that Croatia cannot prove that genocide has taken place," Ljajić said on Thursday.
He reiterated his belief that Croatia lacked the political courage to withdraw the lawsuit.
The political leadership did have the will for that, but feared public reactions to a withdrawal of the lawsuit, he explained.
"Serbia was fully prepared to withdraw the lawsuit unconditionally, but the other side was not ready to do the same," Ljajić said.
The trial before the International Court of Justice will last a month - according to established procedure, Croatia - which was the first to file its lawsuit - will present its arguments first, after which Serbia - which filed a countersuit - will do the same, Ljajić said, adding that the verdict is expected in a year's time.
Ljajić added that Serbia's legal team is fully prepared for the trial before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which will start on March 3.
Croatia filed its charges of genocide on July 2, 1999, demanding financial compensation in the amount determined by the court, punishment for all war criminals, information about missing persons and return of stolen cultural heritage.
Serbia filed its countersuit on January 4, 2010, accusing Croatia of genocide and ethnic cleansing that affected 230,000 Serbs during Operation Storm.
Serbia wants the court to order Croatia to punish those responsible, pay compensation to Croatian Serbs for their losses and provide legal conditions for a safe return of Serb refugees to their homes and normal life.
How is the Serbian govenrment suing a country that no longer exists? The Independednt State of Croatia, a puppet state ceased to exist after 1945. Croatia today is a different country than what wa the NDH. WHere as Yugoslavia wa run straight out of Belgrade by majority Serbian influence. If Serbia wants to sue anyone sue Germany. Now if the lawsuist is about Operation Storm well that is a whole nother story that is worthy of a lawsuit.
(AvoryMoch, 27 February 2014 23:03)
This situation is like two siblings saying, "he did it; no, she did it". Sadly, they are both guilty. What value is there in fighting about who went first? Better to deal with punishing the guilty individuals rather than trying to hold an entire nation accountable.
(DFP, 4 February 2014 14:54)
Minister Ljaljic said: "...Croatia cannot prove that genocide has taken place". I don't know about you, but to me it sounds like he admits there was a genocide, but there is no proof. It's exactly like in the movies - policemen and inspectors are interrogating the murderer, and he says with a smile on his face: "You cannot prove antyhing!
===…==
Great deduction Sherlock. You should be out there solving crimes instead of wasting time here.
(Peggy, 1 February 2014 00:01)
Minister Ljaljic said: "...Croatia cannot prove that genocide has taken place". I don't know about you, but to me it sounds like he admits there was a genocide, but there is no proof. It's exactly like in the movies - policemen and inspectors are interrogating the murderer, and he says with a smile on his face: "You cannot prove antyhing!" Because he thinks he is too smart for them...
Don't kid yourself. As Serbia lost a war, trying to form a Great Serbia, grabbing pieces of Croatia and Bosnia&Hercegovina, in the same way Serbia will also lose this case.
(Tony, 31 January 2014 10:39)
But, Serbian lawsuit was in the meantime "strenghted" by WW2 genocide claim (no expiry date for genocide) so it's hard to see how this won't be considered genocide.
However, I would not be confident that in the end, Croatia could walk away, while Serbia is being sentenced.
Let's think about this court...
After "dissolution" of Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was formed (Serbia and Montenegro). It did not received automatic recognition. It had "empty seat" in UN. It was recognized, but without right to fully participate in work of it - General Assambly and all other bodies.
ICJ is formed to deal with UN state to UN state suits (Palestinians, for example, can't get Izreal on trial because they are not UN state).
Serbia was tried by Bosnia, for genocide, with explanation that , although it had "empty seat" it was still UN member.
Same court rejected Serbia's suti against several NATO countries, on basis that it wasn't UN member in full.
How can we trust the court that is telling us that FR Yugoslavia WAS and WASN'T a UN member at the same time? (1992 - 2000)
(Sreten, 31 January 2014 04:02)
But, Serbian lawsuit was in the meantime "strenghted" by WW2 genocide claim (no expiry date for genocide) so it's hard to see how this won't be considered genocide.
However, I would not be confident that in the end, Croatia could walk away, while Serbia is being sentenced.
Let's think about this court...
After "dissolution" of Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was formed (Serbia and Montenegro). It did not received automatic recognition. It had "empty seat" in UN. It was recognized, but without right to fully participate in work of it - General Assambly and all other bodies.
ICJ is formed to deal with UN state to UN state suits (Palestinians, for example, can't get Izreal on trial because they are not UN state).
Serbia was tried by Bosnia, for genocide, with explanation that , although it had "empty seat" it was still UN member.
Same court rejected Serbia's suti against several NATO countries, on basis that it wasn't UN member in full.
How can we trust the court that is telling us that FR Yugoslavia WAS and WASN'T a UN member at the same time? (1992 - 2000)
(Sreten, 31 January 2014 04:02)
Minister Ljaljic said: "...Croatia cannot prove that genocide has taken place". I don't know about you, but to me it sounds like he admits there was a genocide, but there is no proof. It's exactly like in the movies - policemen and inspectors are interrogating the murderer, and he says with a smile on his face: "You cannot prove antyhing!" Because he thinks he is too smart for them...
Don't kid yourself. As Serbia lost a war, trying to form a Great Serbia, grabbing pieces of Croatia and Bosnia&Hercegovina, in the same way Serbia will also lose this case.
(Tony, 31 January 2014 10:39)
Minister Ljaljic said: "...Croatia cannot prove that genocide has taken place". I don't know about you, but to me it sounds like he admits there was a genocide, but there is no proof. It's exactly like in the movies - policemen and inspectors are interrogating the murderer, and he says with a smile on his face: "You cannot prove antyhing!
===…==
Great deduction Sherlock. You should be out there solving crimes instead of wasting time here.
(Peggy, 1 February 2014 00:01)
This situation is like two siblings saying, "he did it; no, she did it". Sadly, they are both guilty. What value is there in fighting about who went first? Better to deal with punishing the guilty individuals rather than trying to hold an entire nation accountable.
(DFP, 4 February 2014 14:54)
How is the Serbian govenrment suing a country that no longer exists? The Independednt State of Croatia, a puppet state ceased to exist after 1945. Croatia today is a different country than what wa the NDH. WHere as Yugoslavia wa run straight out of Belgrade by majority Serbian influence. If Serbia wants to sue anyone sue Germany. Now if the lawsuist is about Operation Storm well that is a whole nother story that is worthy of a lawsuit.
(AvoryMoch, 27 February 2014 23:03)
Minister Ljaljic said: "...Croatia cannot prove that genocide has taken place". I don't know about you, but to me it sounds like he admits there was a genocide, but there is no proof. It's exactly like in the movies - policemen and inspectors are interrogating the murderer, and he says with a smile on his face: "You cannot prove antyhing!" Because he thinks he is too smart for them...
Don't kid yourself. As Serbia lost a war, trying to form a Great Serbia, grabbing pieces of Croatia and Bosnia&Hercegovina, in the same way Serbia will also lose this case.
(Tony, 31 January 2014 10:39)
But, Serbian lawsuit was in the meantime "strenghted" by WW2 genocide claim (no expiry date for genocide) so it's hard to see how this won't be considered genocide.
However, I would not be confident that in the end, Croatia could walk away, while Serbia is being sentenced.
Let's think about this court...
After "dissolution" of Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was formed (Serbia and Montenegro). It did not received automatic recognition. It had "empty seat" in UN. It was recognized, but without right to fully participate in work of it - General Assambly and all other bodies.
ICJ is formed to deal with UN state to UN state suits (Palestinians, for example, can't get Izreal on trial because they are not UN state).
Serbia was tried by Bosnia, for genocide, with explanation that , although it had "empty seat" it was still UN member.
Same court rejected Serbia's suti against several NATO countries, on basis that it wasn't UN member in full.
How can we trust the court that is telling us that FR Yugoslavia WAS and WASN'T a UN member at the same time? (1992 - 2000)
(Sreten, 31 January 2014 04:02)
Minister Ljaljic said: "...Croatia cannot prove that genocide has taken place". I don't know about you, but to me it sounds like he admits there was a genocide, but there is no proof. It's exactly like in the movies - policemen and inspectors are interrogating the murderer, and he says with a smile on his face: "You cannot prove antyhing!
===…==
Great deduction Sherlock. You should be out there solving crimes instead of wasting time here.
(Peggy, 1 February 2014 00:01)
This situation is like two siblings saying, "he did it; no, she did it". Sadly, they are both guilty. What value is there in fighting about who went first? Better to deal with punishing the guilty individuals rather than trying to hold an entire nation accountable.
(DFP, 4 February 2014 14:54)
How is the Serbian govenrment suing a country that no longer exists? The Independednt State of Croatia, a puppet state ceased to exist after 1945. Croatia today is a different country than what wa the NDH. WHere as Yugoslavia wa run straight out of Belgrade by majority Serbian influence. If Serbia wants to sue anyone sue Germany. Now if the lawsuist is about Operation Storm well that is a whole nother story that is worthy of a lawsuit.
(AvoryMoch, 27 February 2014 23:03)