July 11, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6597 NOT VOTIN—32 Orthodox Church, the Greek Orthodox estimated Bosnian Muslim population in the Alexander DeMint McCaskill community has been an invaluable safe area of Srebrenica was approximately Allard Ensign Murkowski source of information for the United 60,000. Bond Gregg Murray States Senate with regard to the nu- ATTACK ON THE SAFE AREA OF SREBRENICA Boxer Hagel Nelson (NE) Bunning Hutchison merous issues facing the nearly 2,000 4. On or about 6 July 1995, the Bosnian Serb Obama army shelled Srebrenica and attacked Chambliss Inhofe Shelby year-old Ecumenical Patriarchate. United Nations observation posts that were Coburn Kennedy Stabenow As a result of this warm relationship, Coleman Landrieu manned by Dutch soldiers and located in the Stevens on November 29, 2006, 73 U.S. Senators, Corker Leahy Tester safe area. The attack on the Srebrenica safe Cornyn Martinez including myself, signed a letter to Vitter area by the Bosnian Serb army continued Craig McCain President Bush expressing great con- through 11 July 1995, when the first units of The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this cern about the religious freedom of the the attacking Bosnian Serb forces entered vote, the yeas are 65, the nays are 3. Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey. Srebrenica. Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho- According to the United States Com- 5. The Bosnian Muslim men, women and children who remained in Srebrenica after sen and sworn having voted in the af- mission on International Religious Freedom’s May 2008 annual report, the beginning of the Bosnian Serb attack firmative, the motion is agreed to. took two courses of action. Several thousand Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a legal recognition of religious minori- ties, such as the Greek Orthodox com- women, children and some mostly elderly quorum. men fled to the UN compound in Potocari, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The munity, ‘‘has not been implemented in located within the safe area of Srebrenica, clerk will call the roll. Turkish law and practice.’’ where they sought the protection of the On behalf of my fellow Senators, I The legislative clerk proceeded to Dutch battalion responsible for the com- wish to welcome the priests and lay call the roll. pound. They remained at the compound from leaders in the 550 parishes across the 11 July 1995 until 13 July 1995, when they Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- country, the bishops, the were all evacuated by buses and trucks under imous consent that the order for the Metropolitans of Chicago, Pittsburgh, the control of and operated by Bosnian Serb quorum call be rescinded. Boston, Denver, Atlanta, Detroit, San military personnel. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 6. A second group of approximately 15,000 Francisco, and New Jersey; the Arch- objection, it is so ordered. Bosnian Muslim men, with some women and bishops, and especially the Greek Or- children, gathered at Susnjari during the f thodox community of Nevada to this evening hours of 11 July 1995 and fled, in a year’s Clergy-Laity Congress here in MORNING BUSINESS huge column, through the woods towards Washington, DC. I wish all of you the Tuzla. Approximately one-third of this group Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- best for a successful and productive consisted of armed Bosnian military per- imous consent that we now proceed to event. sonnel and armed civilians. The rest were unarmed civilians. a period of morning business, with Sen- f ators allowed to speak therein for up to EVENTS IN POTOCARI 10 minutes each. 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 7. On 11 July 1995 and 12 July 1995, Ratko The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without SREBRENICA MASSACRE Mladic and members of his staff met in objection, it is so ordered. Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have Bratunac with Dutch military officers and sought recognition to mark the 13th representatives of the Muslim refugees from f anniversary of the Srebrenica mas- Potocari. At these meetings, Ratko Mladic 39TH BIENNIAL CLERGY-LAITY sacre. informed them, among other things, that Bosnian Muslim soldiers who surrendered CONGRESS OF THE GREEK OR- Between July 12 and July 16, 1995, an their weapons would be treated as prisoners THODOX CHURCH OF AMERICA estimated 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men of war according to the Geneva Conventions Mr. REID. Mr. President, I come to and boys were slaughtered in the re- and that refugees evacuated from Potocari the floor today to welcome the 39th Bi- gion of Srebrenica in Bosnia and would not be hurt. Herzegovina. This was the largest mass 8. On or about 12 July 1995, Bosnian Serb ennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the murder in Europe since the Second military forces burned and looted Bosnian Greek Orthodox Church of America to World War. The killings were com- Muslim houses in and around Potocari. Washington, D.C. This is a gathering of mitted by the Army of the Republika 9. On or about 12 July 1995, in the morning the clergy and lay leaders of the 550 hours, Bosnian Serb military forces arrived Srpska, under the direct command of parishes across the country with their at the UN military compound in Potocari Ratko Mladic, and with the approval of hierarchs—bishops and metropolitans. and its environs. Republika Srpska President Radovan I am pleased that the metropolitan 10. On or about 12 July 1995, Ratko Mladic Karadzic. arrived in Potocari, accompanied by his with jurisdiction over my State, Met- The atrocities in Srebrenica were military aides and a television crew. He ropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, documented in the November 1995 in- falsely and repeatedly told Bosnian Muslims and the parishes from Ely, Las Vegas, dictment of Ratko Mladic and Radovan in and around Potocari that they would not McGill, and Reno are well represented Karadzic by the International Criminal be harmed and that they would be safely at this meeting. The Greek Orthodox transported out of Srebrenica. Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, community in America is an integral 11. On or about 12 July 1995, at the direc- ICTY: part of our national mosaic. My State tion and in the presence of Ratko Mladic, ap- ‘‘SAFE AREA’’ OF SREBRENICA of Nevada has many very successful proximately 50–60 buses and trucks arrived 1. After war erupted in the Republic of Bos- near the UN military compound in Potocari. citizens in both the government and nia and Herzegovina, Bosnian Serb military Shortly after the arrival of these vehicles, private sectors whose families trace forces occupied Bosnian Muslim villages in the evacuation process of Bosnian Muslim their origins to Greece. the eastern part of the country, resulting in refugees started. As Muslim women, children His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, an exodus of Bosnian Muslims to enclaves in and men started to board the buses and the leader and representative of this Gorazde, Zepa, Tuzla, and Srebrenica. All of trucks, Bosnian Serb military personnel sep- national community, serves as Exarch the events referred to in this indictment arated the men from the women and chil- of Ecumenical Patriarch Bar- took place in the Republic of Bosnia and dren. This selection and separation of Mus- tholomew—the spiritual leader of mil- Herzegovina. lim men took place in the presence of and at 2. On 16 April 1993, the Security Council of the direction of Ratko Mladic. lions of Orthodox Christians around the United Nations, acting pursuant to Chap- 12. The Bosnian Muslim men who had been the world. Ecumenical Patriarch Bar- ter VII of its Charter, adopted resolution 819, separated from other refugees were taken to tholomew, who on June 29, 2008, cele- in which it demanded that all parties to the diverse locations in and around Potocari. On brated mass with Pope Benedict XVI at conflict in the Republic of Bosnia and or about 12 July 1995, Ratko Mladic and Bos- St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, has Herzegovina treat Srebrenica and its sur- nian Serb military personnel under his com- also been awarded the highest civilian roundings as a safe area which should be free mand, informed some of these Muslim men honor Congress can bestow, the Con- from any armed attack or any other hostile that they would be evacuated and exchanged for Bosnian Serbs being held in Tuzla. gressional Gold Medal. act. Resolution 819 was reaffirmed by Resolu- tion 824 on 6 May 1993 and by Resolution 836 13. Most of the Muslim men who had been With the blessings of Archbishop on 4 June 1993. separated from the other refugees in Demetrios, and under the leadership of 3. Before the attack by Bosnian Serb Potocari were transported to Bratunac and the Order of St. Andrew of the Greek forces, as described in this indictment, the then to the area of Karakaj, where they were

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:17 Oct 23, 2008 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD08\S11JY8.REC S11JY8 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S6598 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 11, 2008 massacred by Bosnian Serb military per- Muslims and summarily executed about one- 28. Once the trucks arrived at these loca- sonnel. half of them. tions, Bosnian Serb military personnel or- 14. Between 12 July 1995 and 13 July 1995, 20.5 On or about 18 July 1995 or 19 July 1995, dered the bound or blindfolded Muslim de- Bosnian Serb military personnel summarily in the vicinity of Nezuk, about 20 groups, tainees off the trucks and summarily exe- executed Bosnian Muslim men and women at each containing between 5–10 Bosnian Mus- cuted them. The summary executions took diverse locations around the UN compound lim men, surrendered to Bosnian Serb mili- place from approximately noon to midnight where they had taken refuge. The bodies of tary forces. After the men surrendered, Bos- on 14 July 1995. those summarily executed were left in fields nian Serb soldiers ordered them to line up 29. Bosnian Serb military personnel buried and buildings in the immediate vicinity of and summarily executed them. the executed Bosnian Muslim men in mass the compound. These arbitrary killings in- 20.6 On or about 20 July 1995 or 21 July 1995, graves near the execution sites. stilled such terror and panic amongst the near the village of Meces, Bosnian Serb mili- 30. On or about 14 July 1995, Ratko Mladic Muslims remaining there that some of them tary personnel, using megaphones, urged was present at one of the mass execution committed suicide and all the others agreed Bosnian Muslim men who had fled sites when Bosnian Serb military personnel to leave the enclave. Srebrenica to surrender and assured them summarily executed Bosnian Muslim men. 15. The evacuation of all able-bodied Mus- that they would be safe. Approximately 350 31. The summary executions of Bosnian lim refugees concluded on 13 July 1995. As a Bosnian Muslim men responded to these en- Muslim males, which occurred on 14 July result of the Bosnian Serb attack on the safe treaties and surrendered. Bosnian Serb sol- 1995 in the vicinity of Karakaj, resulted in area and other actions, the Muslim popu- diers then took approximately 150 of them, the loss of thousands of lives. lation of the enclave of Srebrenica was vir- instructed them to dig their own graves and Since the end of the conflict in Bos- tually eliminated by Bosnian Serb military then summarily executed them. nia and Herzegovina, the ICTY has personnel. 20.7 On or about 21 July 1995 or 22 July 1995, made considerable progress. Charges SURRENDER AND EXECUTIONS near the village of Meces, an excavator dug have been filed against 161 individuals. a large pit and Bosnian Serb soldiers ordered 16. Between the evening of 11 July 1995 and approximately 260 Bosnian Muslim men who Of those, the trials of 114 have con- the morning of 12 July 1995, the huge column had been captured to stand around the hole. cluded, resulting in 55 convictions; 47 of Muslims which had gathered in Susnjari The Muslim men were then surrounded by cases are ongoing. Among the Tribu- fled Srebrenica through the woods towards armed Bosnian Serb soldiers and ordered not Tuzla. nal’s greatest successes was the August to move or they would be shot. Some of the 17. Bosnian Serb military personnel, sup- 2001 conviction of Radislav Krstic on men moved and were shot. The remaining ported by armored personnel carriers, tanks, the count of genocide. I was recently men were pushed into the hole and buried anti-aircraft guns and artillery, positioned pleased to learn of the June 11, 2008, ar- alive. themselves along the Bratunac-Milici road 21. Many of the Muslims who surrendered rest of longtime fugitive Stojan in an effort to interdict the column of Bos- to Bosnian Serb military personnel were not Zupljanin by Serbian authorities, as nian Muslims fleeing towards Tuzla. killed at the locations of their surrender, but this was the first capture of a major 18. As soon as the column reached Bosnian instead were transported to central assembly war crimes suspect in about a year. Serb held territory in the vicinity of Buljim, points where Bosnian Serb soldiers held Bosnian Serb military forces attacked it. As However, three individuals, including them under armed guard. These assembly a result of this and other attacks by Bosnian Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, points included, among others, a hangar in Serb military forces, many Muslims were remain at large. Bratunac; soccer fields in Kasaba, Konjevic killed and wounded and the column divided It is vital that the remaining three Polje, Kravica, and Vlasenica; a meadow be- into several smaller parts which continued be brought to face the court. It is im- hind the bus station in Sandici and other towards Tuzla. Approximately one-third of fields and meadows along the Bratunac- perative that the rule of law be the column, mostly composed of military Milici road. brought into the international arena, personnel, crossed the Bratunac-Milici road 22. Between 12 July 1995 and 14 July 1995, at both for the 8,000 who were killed in near Nova Kasaba and reached safety in various of these assembly points, including Srebrenica in July 1995, and for the Tuzla. The remaining Muslims were trapped the hangar in Bratunac and the soccer sta- behind the Bosnian Serb lines. many others who continue to suffer dium in Kasaba, Ratko Mladic addressed the 19. Thousands of Muslims were captured by around the world today under oppres- Bosnian Muslim detainees. He falsely and re- or surrendered to Bosnian Serb military sive regimes. I agree with former peatedly assured them that they would be forces under the command and control of United Nations Secretary General Kofi safe and that they would be exchanged for Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic. Many Bosnian Serb prisoners held by Bosnian gov- Annan, who said during his 1997 visit to of the Muslims who surrendered did so be- ernment forces. the ICTY, ‘‘impunity cannot be toler- cause they were assured that they would be 23. Between 12 July 1995 and 14 July 1995, ated, and will not be. In an inter- safe if they surrendered. In many instances, Bosnian Serb military personnel arbitrarily assurances of safety were provided to the dependent world, the rule of law must selected Bosnian Muslim detainees and sum- Muslims by Bosnian Serb military personnel prevail.’’ marily executed them. who were with other Bosnian Serb soldiers f MASS EXECUTIONS NEAR KARAKAJ wearing stolen UN uniforms, and by Muslims HONORING SANDRA M. BODIN who had been captured and ordered to sum- 24. On or about 14 July 1995, Bosnian Serb mon their fellow Muslims from the woods. military personnel transported thousands of Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise 20. Many of the Bosnian Muslims who were Muslim detainees from Bratunac, Kravica today to honor Sandra M. Bodin, who captured by or surrendered to Bosnian Serb and other locations to an assembly point in has recently completed her services as military personnel were summarily executed a school complex near Karakaj. At this as- president of the American Nephrology by Bosnian Serb military personnel at the sembly point, Bosnian Serb military per- Nurses’ Association, ANNA, for her locations of their surrender or capture, or at sonnel ordered the Muslim detainees to take other locations shortly thereafter. Incidents off their jackets, coats and other garments dedication and contributions to ne- of such summary executions include, but are and place them in front of the sports hall. phrology nursing and kidney patients not limited to: They were then crowded into the school across the country. 20.1 On or about 13 July 1995, near Nezuk in building and adjacent sports hall and held ANNA’s members are registered the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a under armed guard. nurses and health care professionals at group of 10 Bosnian Muslim men were cap- 25. On or about 14 July 1995, at this school all levels of practice. They care for pa- tured. Bosnian Serb soldiers summarily exe- complex near Karakaj, Ratko Mladic con- tients who are experiencing or are at cuted some of these men, including Mirsad ferred with his military subordinates and ad- risk for kidney disease. ANNA’s mis- Alispahic and Hajrudin Mesanovic. dressed some of the Muslims detained there. 20.2 On or about 13 July 1995, on the banks 26. At various times during 14 July 1995, sion is to advance nephrology nursing of the Jadar River between Konjevic Polje Bosnian Serb military personnel killed Bos- practices and positively influence out- and Drinjaca, Bosnian Serb soldiers sum- nian Muslim detainees at this school com- comes for patients affected by kidney marily executed 15 Bosnian Muslim men who plex. disease through advocacy, scholarship, had surrendered or been captured. Amongst 27. Throughout 14 July 1995, Bosnian Serb and excellence. those killed were Hamed Omerovic, Azem military personnel removed all the Muslim As a member of ANNA, Ms. Bodin has Mujic and Ismet Ahmetovic. detainees, in small groups, from the school served as president, vice president, and 20.3 On or about 13 July 1995, in the vicin- building and sports hall and loaded them as a member of the Board of Directors. ity of Konjevic Polje, Bosnian Serb soldiers onto trucks guarded and driven by Bosnian She received the Ron Brady Memorial summarily executed hundreds of Muslims, Serb soldiers. Before boarding the trucks, including women and children. many of the detainees had their hands tied Award for Excellence in Volunteer 20.4 On or about 17 July 1995 or 18 July 1995, behind their backs or were blindfolded. They Leadership from ANNA in 2002. As in the vicinity of Konjevic Polje, Bosnian were then driven to at least two locations in president, Ms. Bodin has inspired ne- Serb soldiers captured about 150–200 Bosnian the vicinity of Karakaj. phrology nurses to reach the highest

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