Gotovina FOI Digest
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
No Date Info Title Sender / Recipiant Information Author 1 13/11/12 Email RE: Gotovina Looks fine to me Lines We will deploy the same if asked about Markac as well. 2 13/11/12 Email 20121108 Fact Sheet. Pdf; Some finalised FCO press lines on the judgement of Gotovina's appeal attached (with lines prepared for three 20121109 different outcomes) - expected on 16 November (at the same time as the judgement on Sanader in Croatoa on Appeals Verdict his corruption charges). Press Lines Thanks, 3 14/11/12 Email ICTY Appeals David Slinn Dear all, Verdict / (Restricted); Gotovina and You might be interested in knowing that local media are planning on following the ICTY Appeals Court closely Markac this Friday morning. Two of the nationwide Croatian television broadcasters (HTV, NOVA) will follow the event with live programmes (starting at 08:30 local time/07:30 GMT+1). The www.dnevnik.hr website will also follow the reading of the verdict—and I expect others to do so. Along with the live broadcast from the Netherlands, the media will be following support rallies from Zagreb (Ban Jelacic Square), Pakostan (Gotovina’s birthplace), Durdevac (Markac’s birthplace), Knin and other cities and towns in Croatia. Organisers (veterans groups) of the support rally in Zagreb expect 100,000 people. In-studio commentary will be provided by legal experts after the verdict is read. Guests in the studio will include people who were active during the Homeland War, politicians, historians, etc. HRT plans on looking at questions such as “how did joint criminal enterprise fall?” and “What happened to ‘excessive shelling’?” Croatians can send their pictures and messages to the generals via Nova TV. The broadcaster has created an e- mail address ([email protected]) for this purpose. If I find any more plans re: coverage of the Gotovina and Markac appeal, I shall let you know. Best, 4 14/11/12 Email Gotovina: vigil To be aware, but that politicians are barred. This report comes from the state HINA new agency but is well on Friday down the list – well below, for example, HMA’s appearance in the regional town of Rijeka to promote proper use of EU funds. Once upon a time Gotovina would have been top of the list. An indication of how things have changed. 5 15/11/12 Email Re: Amended Press Lines - Sorry to do this to you, but some further comments have come in on the Ante Gotovian / ICTY verdict press Gotovina lines. Please can you replace the lines I sent you on Monday with these (attached) lines? Appeal Verdict The changes are very minor. They have been made to take account of the fact that two appeal verdicts (Gotovian and Markac) will be delivered on Friday. Our previous lines focused solely on Gotovina. Our key messaging remains the same, but the attached lines can be delivered for any verdict in either case. Thanks, 6 15/11/12 Email CROATIA: David Slinn DL Zagreb RESIGNATION (Restricted) Political Meanwhile, the Government is also bracing itself for the possibility of what it would regard as a [redacted] OF FIRST Section decision on Gotovina in The Hague on Friday. Up to 100,000 pro-Gotovina demonstrators are expected in DEPUTY PRIME (Restricted); Zagreb for the verdict. MINISTER CACIC 7 16/11/12 Email Fw: Serbia David Slinn Legacy (Restricted); We can see the fallout from Gotovina's acquittal already. Judging by [redacted] reaction I think we can expect Conference Nigel Casey further recriminations against the ICTY, if not now then certainly after Haradinaj's verdict. postponed (Restricted); 8 16/11/12 Email A quick Quick transcript of the PM’s press conference. The President speaks at 11am. transcript on PM's statement A rock has fallen off our heart because we all together have a heart. This has lasted 17 years, it is important that people go home to their families. This decision is important for all of Croatia. This case was difficult, the decision was split [3-2] which says how thin a line there is between success and failure, between truth and untruth, between justice and injustice for us. It is obvious that two innocent people were in the Hague but that does not mean that the war was not bloody and that there were not mistakes, but for that responsibility lies with the State, not Markac and Gotovina. Towards those that did make mistakes Croatia will fulfil its debt of justice [we think this means continue to pursue war crimes trials]. Thank you to Gotovina & Markac who have for Croatia spent this much time [in jail]. 9 16/11/12 Email HLC on the Dear Sir or Madam, Acquittal of Please find attached Press Release HLC on the Acquittal of Gotovina and Markac. Gotovina and Yours Faithfully, Markac 10 16/11/12 Email Press Lines on Paul All, ICTY/Croatia: Arkwright Here are the press lines on the ICTY’s Acquittal of Gotovina and Markac. Background and my reporting e-mail Acquittal of (Restricted); below. Gotovina & Markač Q: What is the UK’s view on the acquittal? - We respect the verdict - it has been reached in an international court of law. If pressed: Is the UK disappointed with the verdict? - It would be inappropriate to comment. This has been an independent judicial process and the judges have made their decision based on the evidence put forward by the prosecution and defence. We have to respect that process. Q: Does this acquittal undermine the authority / integrity of the ICTY? - Absolutely not. Acquittals are not uncommon. And an individual’s right to appeal against his or her conviction is an enshrined right. If anything, the acquittal affirms the ICTY’s commitment to the delivery of justice. Q: Gotovina / Markac was convicted of serious crimes during Operation Storm. How does his acquittal help to deliver justice to the victims of these crimes? - The fact that Gotovina / Markac has been put on trial is the key point. His trial has provided all sides with the opportunity to argue their cases in a court of law. Further questions on this matter should be addressed to the ICTY. Q: A number of documents were requested by the Prosecution but never delivered by the Croatian. What bearing on the decision did the missing documents have? - The judges based their decision on the information at their disposal. We understand that the Croatians are still searching for these documents and the Prosecution had stopped requesting them. Q: Will there be any impact on other war crimes / ICTY cases? - That is a question for the tribunal. Q: What will now happen to Gotovina / Markac? - Unknown. He may return to Croatia, but this is not guaranteed to happen. The ICTY is better placed to answer this question. BACKGROUND 1. Ante Gotovina is a former Croatian General. He served in the Croatian War for Independence in the early 90s. 2. In 2001, Gotovina was indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity. After spending four years in hiding, he was apprehended (December 2005) and put on trial at the ICTY. In April 2011, Gotovina was found guilty and sentenced to 24 years in prison. Gotovina has appealed against his conviction. The verdict of this appeal will be delivered on Friday 16 November. 3. Gotovina is a popular figure in some parts of rural Croatia, notably the area where Operation Storm liberated Croatian territory. 4. Mladen Markac, Commander of the Croatian Special Police during Operation Storm (and a close ally of Gotovina) has also appealed against his 18 years sentence. The outcome of his appeal will also be announced on 16 November. It is possibility that one of the two men will be acquitted and the other will have their sentence upheld. 5. The majority of the victims of Operation Storm were Croatian Serbs. An acquittal could be seen to rob these victims of justice. 11 16/11/12 Email Gotovina and PM Milanovic will make a statement at 10am. Govt plane with Ministers of Defence & Veterans being sent to Markac freed by bring them back. ICTY Sent: 16 November 2012 09:48 Subject: RE: Updated: Gotovina Appeal Verdict Press Lines Importance: High The Generals have been freed by ICTY. More to follow. 12 16/11/12 Email FW: ICTY Press Release - Appeals The Minister will wish to be aware of the ICTY press release below. The Croatian Generals Gotovina and Chamber Markac have had their convictions overturned by the ICTY Appeals Chamber and have been released with Acquits and immediate effect. The Croatian government has sent a plane to bring the Generals back to Croatia and the Orders Release Prime Minister is due to make a statement at 10:00 (UK time). A mass vigil has been held in central Zagreb, of Ante where crowds have been able to watch the appeals verdict on big screens. We will provide a fuller update Gotovina and later in the day. Mladen Markač Press lines have been agreed and circulated to post and to press office and are attached should you need them. Many thanks, 13 16/11/12 Email FW: Appeal Nigel Casey * Yes, upheld (Restricted); Michael It is Gotovina and Marcic who have just been acquitted on all counts at the ICTY. They will walk away from the Davenport Court as free men. (Restricted); David Slinn I have just got back into the Embassy from the Court, where I was sat behind Gotovina's brother (seemingly). (Restricted); Quick e-mail to issue now and then a joint Hague/Zagreb DipTel later today. DL Europe - EuD - WBE Section Heads (Restricted) 14 16/11/12 Email FW: ICTY Press David Slinn Release - (Restricted) Your separate email refers.