Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERLIN1066
2008-08-05 16:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

GERMANY RELUCTANT TO MAINTAIN TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Tags:  KAWC ICTY PREL ETTC SR GM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3966
OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHRL #1066 2181642
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 051642Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1848
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0002
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0041
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001066 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: KAWC ICTY PREL ETTC SR GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY RELUCTANT TO MAINTAIN TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
ON THE KARADZIC FAMILY

REF: STATE 82494

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Jeff Rathke for Reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001066

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: KAWC ICTY PREL ETTC SR GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY RELUCTANT TO MAINTAIN TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
ON THE KARADZIC FAMILY

REF: STATE 82494

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Jeff Rathke for Reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (C) PolOffs delivered reftel points to Mark Bogdahn,
deputy head of the Western Balkans Division at the German
MFA, and desk officer for Serbia, Silja Weibel, on August 1.
PolOffs noted that a premature lifting of the travel ban on
the Karadzic family could negatively impact OHR's removal of
PIFWC supporters. Bogdahn and Weibel indicated that the GOG
is likely to support the move to lift the travel ban on the
Karadzic family. Weibel claimed that no EU member state
raised this issue when it was discussed July 30 at the
working level. Bogdahn said he expects the travel
restrictions, and indeed all other sanctions imposed on the
family, to be lifted by early or mid-September.


2. (C) Bogdahn noted that it was OHR that asked Brussels to
give the Karadzic family back their passports in the first
place, which the German side interpreted as OHR acquiescence
on lifting the travel restrictions. Bogdahn and Weibel
asserted that the restrictions were implemented because the
Karadzic family -- at that time -- was "believed to be"
aiding Radovan Karadzic's flight from justice. Now that he
is in custody however, the justification for the restrictions
has been removed. Neither Bogdahn nor Weibel believed that
the Karadzic family is aiding fugitives Ratko Mladic and
Goran Hadzic, noting there was "no love lost" amongst the
erstwhile allies. Bogdahn felt that if travel restrictions
are to continue, the High Representative would have to make
that case.


3. (C) Comment: The MFA's laissez-faire approach is
disappointing; Embassy will continue pressing the point that
premature lifting of the restrictions could undermine other
efforts to locate and apprehend PIFWCs and weaken the High
Representative's credibility vis-a-vis the RS. End comment.
KOENIG