Reply #79: Let's break it down then... [View All]

First of all, everyone be clear on this. This is Milosevic examining Radomir Markovic, a former member of Milosevic's inner circle. According to lawyer Rajko Danilovic, Radomir Markovic was head of Milosevic's Red Berets or Special Operations Unit - a combined military and police unit whose purpose was to "liquidate" Milosevic's political opponents. They were close. Buddies.

http://www.rferl.org/southslavic/2003/06/18-260603.html

So what we have here is Milosevic, representing himself, examining a witness who isn't credible. And we'll see more of that in a bit...

Milosevic: Is it true that they offered on that occasion to you certain protective measures? They told you you would be in prison for six months and would be tried if you don't agree to charge me falsely, to level false allegations against me? Is that true or not?

Markovic: They spoke to me about the difficult position I was in. They warned me against the possible consequences and offered me an option in the form of accusing Milosevic, as the person who issued orders for those criminal offences, which would relieve me of liability before a criminal court.

This is called a plea bargain arrangement - very common in the legal world and nothing sinister about it. Essentially, Markovic was offered more lenient punishment for "turning state's evidence" on Milosevic.

Also, notice Markovic's carefully chosen words. While he confirmed the plea bargain, he in no way confirmed Milosevic's charge of leveling false accusations.

Milosevic: Is it true that they offered you a new identity, money, and sustenance for you and your family only so that you would falsely accuse me? Is that correct?

Markovic: Yes, that's correct.

You left out most of Markovic's answer here. This is the rest:

I was told that in that case I would not be the one who would be held accountable but that I could choose a country where I would live and that I could get a new identity and that it was indispensable to accuse you so that you would be tried in the country

Again, Markovic does not confirm Milosevic's false accusations charge. In fact, he only fills in the details of what his "plea bargain" arrangement is and that he must implicate Milosevic to get it.

Here is another part of the transcript you posted:

Milosevic: ...is it true that this statement that has been presented about the mopping up of the terrain was drafted precisely by the same people and under the sponsorship of those people who exerted pressure on you and who have been torturing you for one year and a half now?

Markovic: Yes, it's an interview with the same people.

Again, no denial of the "mopping up" charge, just a confirmation that the way a question was presented was done so by Markovic's interrogators.

A very telling quote on the "mopping up of the terrian" charge is this:

When asked by the prosecutor whether he confirmed his words said to the investigators in June 2001, that the Yugoslavian army and police had carried out "cleansings" on the territory of Kosovo and afterwards a truck with several dozens of killed Albanians had been found in the Danube, Markovic answered negatively.

The tribunal's investigator allowed himself "a too free interpretation of his words, completing them with other people's inventions" while taking down the interrogation, he said.

From the whole transcript of interrogation Markovic only confirmed his words about "cleansings" conducted on the territory of Kosovo.

http://english.pravda.ru/world/2002/07/26/33260.html

So, we see, though Markovic denied the existance of a truck, he didn't deny the cleansings conducted on Kosovo.

Now I see where you get your knack for extreme supposition.

Slobodan Milosevic!

Sorry to make you look like a fool, but as everyone can see, you make allegations rashly.