Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
92ZAGREB2544
1992-12-01 10:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLASSIFIED LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 01 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
SIPDIS
DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 01 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
------------------------
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
------------------------
UNCLASSIFIED LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 01 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
SIPDIS
DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 01 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
--------------
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) THIS IS ONE IN A SERIES OF REPORTS ON
SPECIFIC AND GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA AND
HERCEGOVINA (B-H) BASED ON PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH
THE SUBJECTS NAMED. THE SUBJECT IN THIS REPORT
AGREED TO SPEAK ONLY AFTER RECEIVING ASSURANCES THAT
HIS NAME WOULD NOT/NOT BE USED PUBLICLY FOR FEAR THAT
THAT WOULD ENDANGER RELATIVES STILL UNDER SERBIAN
DETENTION IN B-H.
2. (LOU) SERIF VELIC (PROTECT) IS A 42-YEAR-OLD
MUSLIM METALWORKER FROM KEVLJANI. HE WAS INTERNED LN
THE SERBIAN-RUN OMARSKA CAMP FROM MAY 27 UNTIL AUGUST
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28 WHEN HE WAS TAKEN TO MANJACA CAMP. HE WAS HELD
THERE UNTIL HIS RELEASE ON NOV. 14 TO THE KARLOVAC
TRANSIT CENTER FOR EX-DETAINEES. VELIC WAS ABLE TO
DESCRIBE IN GRAPHIC DETAIL THE SEVERE BEATINGS HE
RECEIVED IN OMARSKA. HE WAS INTERVIEWED IN KARLOVAC
ON NOV. 23 AND 25 AND WAS JUDGED CREDIBLE. VELIC IS
IDENTIFIED BELOW AS "S.V." END INTRODUCTION AND
SUMMARY.
--------------
DETAILS OF THE CASE
--------------
3. (U) S.V. IS A 42-YEAR-OLD BOSNIAN MUSLIM
METALWORKER FROM A MUSLIM VILLAGE OF KEVLJANI, NEAR
PRIJEDOR. HE WAS INTERNED IN THE SERBIAN-RUN OMARSKA
CAMP FOR THREE MONTHS AND IN MANJACA CAMP FOR THREE
MONTHS. S.V. WAS THE HEAD OF THE TERITORIJALNE
-
ODBRANA (TO) IN KEVLJANI BEFORE THE WAR. THE
TERRITORIAL DEFENSE GROUP WAS COMPOSED OF MUSLIMS,
CROATS, AND SERBS. THE GROUP HAD 7 AUTOMATIC RIFLES,
4 M48 RIFLES, AND 2 PISTOLS. THE TO IN KEVLJANI
COMBINED WITH THE VILLAGES OF HADZICI, JAKUPOVICI,
AND GORNJI PETROV GAJ. THE GROUP HAD 23 GUNS TOTAL,
SAID S.V.
4. (U) ON MAY 26, SERBS ATTACKED HIS VILLAGE. THE
VILLAGERS FLED TO THE WOODS, BUT AFTER SPENDING THE
NIGHT IN THE WOODS UNDER HEAVY SHELLING, MANY WOMEN
WANTED TO SURRENDER. S.V. AND AN IMAM LED A GROUP OF
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WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER A WHITE FLAG TO THE SCHOOL
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02 CIAE-00 HA-09 INRE-00
INR-01 IO-19 ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 RP-10 SR-00
/046W
-------------- 807D27 011241Z /38
P 011036Z DEC 92
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2889
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION USVIENNA
USIA WASHDC 2523
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1135
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DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 02 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
TO SURRENDER. A SERBIAN OFFICER NICKNAMED CIGO TOLD
THE GROUP THE WHOLE VILLAGE HAD TWO HOURS TO
SURRENDER. CIGO WAS THE HEAD OF THE TANK REGIMENT
WHICH ATTACKED KEVLJANI. S.V. SAID HE SURRENDERED TO
CIGO ALL THE WEAPONS THE GROUP HAD, IN HOPES THAT THE
VILLAGE WOULD BE SPARED. HOWEVER, THE SERBIAN ARMY
BURNED MOST HOUSES TO THE GROUND, AND SENT ALL
MUSLIMS AND CROATIANS IN BUSES TO PRIJEDOR. AT 4:00
P.M, THE MEN WERE TAKEN TO THE KERATERM FACTORY ON
THE EDGE OF TOWN, AND THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE
TAKEN TO THE YOUTH CENTER IN TOWN. S.V. SAID 24
BUSES PULLED UP TO KERATERM. HOWEVER, THE CAMP WAS
FULL AND THE PRISONERS COULD NOT UNLOAD. THE CONVOY
CONTINUED ONWARD IN A LOW-PROFILE, ROUND-ABOUT WAY
THROUGH TOMASICA TO OMARSKA CAMP. THEY ARRIVED ABOUT
11:00 P.M.
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5. (U) S.V. SAID HE WAS IN BUILDING NUMBER 11, IN A
ROOM 15 BY 15 METERS LARGE. HE BELIEVES OVER 450 MEN
WERE FORCED INTO THE ROOM. THE ROOM WAS TOO SMALL
FOR EVERYONE TO LIE DOWN, SO THEY TOOK TURNS SITTING
AND STANDING. S.V. SLEPT HERE FOR 22 DAYS. ONLY
AFTER 3 DAYS DID THE MEN RECEIVE ANY WATER, ABOUT 10
LITERS TO DRINK FOR 450 MEN. THE PRISONERS WERE MADE
TO RUN A TYPE OF OBSTACLE COURSE WHEN THEY WERE FED.
ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAFETERIA, THEY HAD TO PASS
SINGLE FILE BETWEEN SERBIAN GUARDS, WHO TRIPPED AND
BEAT ALMOST EACH PRISONER AS HE RAN BY. BENCHES AND
TABLES BLOCKED THEIR PATH, AND, IF THE PRISONERS
STUMBLED OVER THESE, THEY WERE BEATEN EVEN MORE. A
MEAL CONSISTED OF 90 G. OF BREAD AND MAYBE SOME SOUP
BROTH OR A CABBAGE LEAF. OFTEN, S.V. SAID, 24 TO 60
HOURS WOULD PASS BETWEEN MEALS.
6. (U) ON HIS 22ND DAY AT THE CAMP (AROUND JUNE
18-19),S.V. WAS CALLED OUT OF THE ROOM AT 2 A.M. HE
WAS INTERROGATED BY ZDRAVKO GOVEDARICA, A SERBIAN
FROM THE VILLAGE OF MRKONJIC GRAD, NEAR JAJCE, WHOM
HE KNEW BEFORE THE WAR. THE MAN WAS AN OFFICER, WITH
THREE CHEVRON MARKS ON HIS UNIFORM, S.V. SAID. S.V.
WAS REPEATEDLY QUESTIONED ABOUT THE LOCATION OF A
LARGE GUN CALLED A MITRALJEZ BREDA. S.V. DENIED ANY
KNOWLEDGE OF THIS GUN, AND CLAIMED THAT THE TO IN
KEVLJANI NEVER OWNED SUCH A GUN. THE KEVLJANI TO HAD
SURRENDERED ALL THEIR WEAPONS TO CIGO, DURING THE
SERBIAN ATTACK ON THEIR VILLAGE.
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7. (U) S.V. WAS TAKEN TO BUILDING 10, TO A ROOM
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02 CIAE-00 HA-09 INRE-00
INR-01 IO-19 ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 RP-10 SR-00
/046W
-------------- 807D65 011243Z /38
P 011036Z DEC 92
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2890
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION USVIENNA
USIA WASHDC 2524
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1136
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DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 03 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
WITH FOUR SOLDIERS. S.V. WAS MADE TO UNDRESS TO HIS
UNDERWEAR, AND TOLD TO LIE DOWN ON HIS STOMACH ON THE
TILE FLOOR. ONE GUARD TOOK AN IRON CHAIR, PUT IT ON
S.V.'S BACK AND SAT DOWN. ANOTHER GUARD TOOK A LARGE
CALIBER AUTOMATIC RIFLE AND BEAT S.V. ON HIS SPINE
WITH THE BUTT OF THE RIFLE, POUNDING EACH VERTEBRA
TWICE. A THIRD GUARD CONTINUALLY KICKED S.V. ALONG
HIS LEGS AND GROIN. ONE GUARD POUNDED HIS RIB CAGE
CONTINUALLY. S.V. NOW HAS 4 BROKEN RIBS ON HIS LEFT
SIDE. THE INSPECTOR GOVEDARICA ENTERED THE ROOM
DURING S.V.'S BEATING. S.V. SCREAMED FOR THE GUARDS
TO STOP, BUT THEY CONTINUED. ONE GAVE HIM A SHEET OF
MEDICAL PILLS PACKAGED IN A METAL AND PLASTIC,
POP-THROUGH SHEET TO BITE ONTO TO PREVENT HIM FROM
SCREAMING. THIS METAL/PLASTIC SHEET ONLY CUT UP
S.V.'S MOUTH, LEAVING SCARS WHICH HE SHOWED TO
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EMBOFF, AND MADE HIM ALMOST UNABLE TO EAT FOR WEEKS.
-
8. (U) S.V. LOST CONSCIOUSNESS, BUT WHEN HE AWOKE,
THE FOUR GUARDS WERE STANDING AROUND HIM, AND BEGAN
TO BEAT HIM AGAIN, ON HIS LEGS, SHOULDERS, AND HEAD.
HE SAID HE HEARD A VOICE SAY SEVERAL TIMES "NOT ON
HIS HEAD|" ONE GUARD TOOK A POLICE BATON, STRADDLED
S.V.'S BACK, AND BEAT HIS BACK AND RIBS CONTINUALLY.
S.V. SAID HE FELT THE PAIN OF ONLY THE FIRST TEN
BLOWS, THEN FELT NO MORE. ANOTHER GUARD PULLED OUT A
KNIFE AND SAID HE WOULD CIRCUMCIZE S.V. THE GUARD
THEN CUT S.V.'S KNEE CAP, BUT S.V. SAID HE DID NOT
EVEN FEEL THE KNIFE AS HE WATCHED BLOOD POUR OUT OF
HIS LEG.
9. (U) THE GUARDS MADE HIM STAND UP, BUT S.V.
PRETENDED TO FAINT. THE GUARDS DID NOT BELIEVE HE
FAINTED, AND FORCED S.V. UP AGAIN. ON HIS THIRD
ATTEMPT TO STAND, S.V. DID LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS AS HE
FELL ON HIS LEFT SIDE, WITH THE BROKEN RIBS. THE
GUARDS THREW WATER ON HIM TO WAKEN HIM. THEY
RETURNED HIS CLOTHES, AND S.V. WAS ABLE TO PULL ON
HIS PANTS AND BOOTS BEFORE THEY WALKED HIM BACK TO A
ROOM. S.V. SAID HE WAS THE FIRST PRISONER IN OMARSKA
TO BE RETURNED TO THE ROOMS AFTER A BEATING, AND NOT
KILLED OR TAKEN TO THE SO-CALLED WHITE HOUSE. S.V.
WAS TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE OTHERS OF WHAT MIGHT
HAPPEN TO THEM. IT WAS 5:00 A.M. S.V. WAS BEATEN
FOR THREE HOURS. HE SAID HE WAS SO BLACK AND BLUE
THAT THERE WAS NOT ONE WHITE SPOT AS LARGE AS A
FINGERTIP ON HIS ENTIRE BODY.
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02 CIAE-00 HA-09 INRE-00
INR-01 IO-19 ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 RP-10 SR-00
(ADS)
-------------- 813337 022145Z /38
P 011036Z DEC 92
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2891
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION USVIENNA
USIA WASHDC 2525
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USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1137
DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 04 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
10. (U) S.V. TOOK ONE STEP INTO THE ROOM AND
FAINTED. HE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF HIS MUSCLES AND
HAD A DIARRHEA ATTACK THERE. HE WAS UNABLE TO WASH
HIMSELF FOR OVER ONE MONTH, HE SAID. S.V. THOUGHT HE
LAY THERE FOR A FEW HOURS, BUT WAS TOLD HE LAY
UNCONSCIOUS FOR TWO DAYS. HE CAME TO WHEN HE HEARD
HIS NAME CALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAMP GUARDS WERE
CALLING FOR HIM TO EXIT THE ROOM. AS S.V. WAS UNABLE
TO WALK, SIX OTHER PRISONERS PUT HIM ON A BLANKET,
AND CARRIED HIM INTO THE HALLWAY. ONE GUARD ASKED,
"WHERE'S YOUR GUN?" THEY WERE LOOKING FOR S.V.'S
PERSONAL HUNTING RIFLE FROM HIS HOME, WHICH S.V. HAD
TURNED OVER TO CIGO WITH ALL THE OTHER GUNS IN THE
TOWN. THE GUARDS EVEN ASKED FOR ALL SEVENTY BULLETS
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THAT S.V. OWNED AT THAT TIME.
11. (U) FROM THIS HALLWAY, S.V. WAS CARRIED ON HIS
BLANKET TO ANOTHER ROOM OF 36 MEN WHO WERE ALL SICK.
S.V. SAID HE OCCUPIED A SPACE BEHIND THE DOOR OF THE
ROOM, ABOUT 80 CENTIMETERS LONG. AS HE LAY FOR
SEVERAL DAYS IN A FETAL POSITION, HE WAS OCCASIONALLY
ABLE TO MOVE HIS HEAD, HANDS, AND FEET, BUT HE
RECEIVED ABSOLUTELY NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WHATSOEVER.
A COUSIN OF HIS WAS IN THIS ROOM AND TENDED TO HIM.
ONE DAY, GUARDS CAME INTO THE ROOM AND BEAT PEOPLE AT
RANDOM WITH POLICE BATONS. HIS COUSIN WAS
PISTOL-WHIPPED IN THE FACE. S.V. LAY BEHIND THE
DOOR, AND SO WAS SPARED MORE INJURY AT THIS TIME.
12. (U) S.V. COUGHED DESPERATELY. HE SUCCEEDED IN
TURNING ONTO HIS BACK AFTER TWO DAYS OF TRYING. HE
HAD JUST A FEW GULPS OF WATER DAILY. HIS WOUNDS
BEGAN TO HEAL SLOWLY. HIS COUSIN MANAGED TO BRING A
LITTLE FOOD TO HIM DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS. AFTER A
WEEK, S.V. WANTED TO GO TO THE CAFETERIA TO EAT WITH
THE OTHERS, BUT HAD TO RUN THE OBSTACLE COURSE JUST
LIKE THE REST OF THE PRISONERS.
13. (U) TWO WEEKS LATER, THE GUARDS BEGAN
SYSTEMATICALLY TO EMPTY OUT SEVERAL ROOMS, INCLUDING
THE SICK ROOM S.V. WAS IN. S.V. WAS PUT IN A MUCH
LARGER ROOM, IN ROOM 15 WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED MEN.
FOR 37 DAYS AFTER HIS BEATING, HE WAS LEFT ALONE.
THEN HE WAS SENT A SECOND TIME FOR QUESTIONING TO
INSPECTOR DRAGE MEAKIC, WHOSE BROTHER WAS THE CAMP
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COMMANDER. MEAKIC WAS A POLICE CRIMINAL INSPECTOR
BEFORE THE WAR WHO WAS KNOWN TO S.V. MEAKIC SHOWED
GREAT INTEREST IN A LIST OF 101 MEN FROM KEVLJANI, OF
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INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02 CIAE-00 HA-09 INRE-00
INR-01 IO-19 ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 RP-10 SR-00
/046W
-------------- 807D8A 011245Z /38
P 011036Z DEC 92
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2892
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION USVIENNA
USIA WASHDC 2526
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1138
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DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
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DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
ALL THREE ETHNIC GROUPS, WHO WERE IN THE TO THERE.
S.V.'S NAME WAS ON THIS LIST. HE UNDERWENT A THIRD
QUESTIONING WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
-
14. (U) ROOM 15 HELD ABOUT 300-350 MEN. IT HAD A
SMALL BATHROOM AREA, WITH LONG, CEMENT, TROUGH-STYLE
SINKS. FOR LACK OF SPACE, MEN SLEPT IN AND UNDER
THESE SINKS. THREE FAUCETS WORKED, SO IT WAS THE
ONLY ROOM WITH WATER AVAILABLE TO THE PRISONERS.
S.V. GOT A PLACE UNDER ONE SINK. THE STENCH WAS
TERRIBLE, AS THE SINKS WERE USED AS TOILETS BY THE
PRISONERS. HE SLEPT 10 DAYS IN THIS PLACE. THEN HE
WAS MOVED ACROSS THE HALL TO THE SHOWER STALLS. TWO
PEOPLE SLEPT IN EACH STALL, ONE METER SQUARE. S.V.
SAID HE COULD ONLY STRETCH HIS LEGS IF HE EXTENDED
THEM UP THE SIDE WALL. HE STAYED HERE UNTIL EARLY
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AUGUST, WHEN THE ICRC AND JOURNALISTS CAME TO THE
CAMP.
15. (LOU) S.V. NAMED SEVEN OF EIGHT PEOPLE HE SAID
WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM THIS SHOWER AREA AND NEVER SEEN
AGAIN. THEY WERE:
- IBRO PAUNOVIC (PROTECT),FROM PRIJEDOR, WHO WAS
THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OF THE OMARSKA AND
TOMASICA MINES
- ESO MEHMEDAGIC (PROTECT),AN ALMOST BLIND MAN
- STJEPAN MARIC (PROTECT)
- MIROSLAV SOLAJA (PROTECT),DIED FROM WOUNDS
INFLICTED DURING A BEATING.
- MIROSLAV (FNU)
- SAKIB PERVANIC (PROTECT),TAKEN AWAY BY A MAN
WHOM S.V. IDENTIFIED AS THE SON OF RADE GRUBAN, A
SERB.
- SMAJO GARIBOVIC (PROTECT),
16. (U) IN EARLY AUGUST, THE GUARDS AT OMARSKA
BECAME VERY UNSETTLED AND MOVED MEN FROM ROOM TO
ROOM. 184 MEN, INCLUDING S.V. WERE TRANSFERRED TO A
GARAGE ABOUT 25 METERS SQUARE. AFTER 3 DAYS, 88 OF
THEM, INCLUDING S.V., WERE TAKEN TO THE SOCALLED
WHITE HOUSE . THE NEXT DAY, AUGUST 6, 1200 MEN WERE
SENT ON A CONVOY TO MANJACA AS S.V. LATER FOUND OUT.
THEN 1000 MEN WERE SENT TO TRNOPOLJE CAMP. ONLY THE
184 MEN SINGLED OUT BEFORE WERE LEFT IN OMARSKA.
THEY WERE LED TO A LARGE ROOM WHERE THEY HAD TO
ASSEMBLE AND MAKE ARMY BEDS.
17. (U) S.V. WAS LED AWAY BY FOUR SOLDIERS TO A
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NEARBY ROOM. HE WAS AGAIN BEATEN TERRIBLY. S.V.
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02 CIAE-00 HA-09 INRE-00
INR-01 IO-19 ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 RP-10 SR-00
/046W
-------------- 807DA1 011245Z /38
P 011036Z DEC 92
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2893
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION USVIENNA
USIA WASHDC 2527
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1139
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DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 06 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
STOOD SPREAD-EAGLE AGAINST THE WALL WITH THE FIRST
THREE FINGERS HELD UP OF EACH HAND. (NOTE: THIS IS
THE SERBIAN CHETNIK SYMBOL. END NOTE.) HE WAS
BEATEN WITH BATONS ON ALL HIS JOINTS, AND HIS LEGS
BUCKLED UNDERNEATH HIM. ONE GUARD BROUGHT A
COCKROACH AND MADE S.V. EAT IT FROM HIS HAND. THIS
GUARD THEN CLAIMED THAT S.V. BIT HIM. THREE OF THE
SOLDIERS BEAT S.V. VICIOUSLY ON HIS CHEST, BACK AND
LEGS WITH POLICE BATONS. WHEN S.V. FELL, A GUARD
STOOD ON HIS FACE AND RUBBED IT WITH HIS BOOT INTO
THE FLOOR. WHEN S.V. WAS SENT TO THE BATHROOM TO
WASH, A GUARD FOLLOWED, AND BEAT HIM WITH THICK CABLE
WIRE ALONG THE WAY. S.V. SAID HE BELIEVES HE WAS THE
LAST MAN SEVERELY BEATEN IN OMARSKA CAMP.
18. (U) ALTHOUGH THE PRISONERS HAD MADE 120 BEDS,
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THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SLEEP ON THEM, BUT HAD TO
SLEEP ON THE FLOOR OF THE HALLWAY IN THAT BUILDING.
ON AUGUST 12, INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS ARRIVED AT
OMARSKA. THE SERBS TOLD THE JOURNALISTS THAT THE
PRISONERS THERE HAD BEEN HELD FOR TWO TO THREE WEEKS
FOR INTERROGATION. THE JOURNALISTS HAD BROUGHT ICRC
REGISTRATION CARDS AND REGISTERED ALL THE PRISONERS.
S.V. SAID THE REPORTERS TOLD THEM THAT THEY WERE NOW
CITIZENS OF THE U.N. THE PRISONERS WERE ALLOWED TO
SLEEP ON THE BEDS FOR THREE NIGHTS. ON AUGUST 21,
ALL THE REMAINING PRISONERS IN OMARSKA WERE TAKEN TO
MANJACA CAMP. S.V. SAID THAT THE MEN WERE NO LONGER
BEATEN REGULARLY AND SEVERELY FROM THAT POINT AND
THAT THE ICRC CAME REGULARLY TO CHECK ON THEIR
CONDITION AND BRING THEM FOOD.
NEITZKE
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SIPDIS
DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 01 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
--------------
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) THIS IS ONE IN A SERIES OF REPORTS ON
SPECIFIC AND GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA AND
HERCEGOVINA (B-H) BASED ON PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH
THE SUBJECTS NAMED. THE SUBJECT IN THIS REPORT
AGREED TO SPEAK ONLY AFTER RECEIVING ASSURANCES THAT
HIS NAME WOULD NOT/NOT BE USED PUBLICLY FOR FEAR THAT
THAT WOULD ENDANGER RELATIVES STILL UNDER SERBIAN
DETENTION IN B-H.
2. (LOU) SERIF VELIC (PROTECT) IS A 42-YEAR-OLD
MUSLIM METALWORKER FROM KEVLJANI. HE WAS INTERNED LN
THE SERBIAN-RUN OMARSKA CAMP FROM MAY 27 UNTIL AUGUST
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28 WHEN HE WAS TAKEN TO MANJACA CAMP. HE WAS HELD
THERE UNTIL HIS RELEASE ON NOV. 14 TO THE KARLOVAC
TRANSIT CENTER FOR EX-DETAINEES. VELIC WAS ABLE TO
DESCRIBE IN GRAPHIC DETAIL THE SEVERE BEATINGS HE
RECEIVED IN OMARSKA. HE WAS INTERVIEWED IN KARLOVAC
ON NOV. 23 AND 25 AND WAS JUDGED CREDIBLE. VELIC IS
IDENTIFIED BELOW AS "S.V." END INTRODUCTION AND
SUMMARY.
--------------
DETAILS OF THE CASE
--------------
3. (U) S.V. IS A 42-YEAR-OLD BOSNIAN MUSLIM
METALWORKER FROM A MUSLIM VILLAGE OF KEVLJANI, NEAR
PRIJEDOR. HE WAS INTERNED IN THE SERBIAN-RUN OMARSKA
CAMP FOR THREE MONTHS AND IN MANJACA CAMP FOR THREE
MONTHS. S.V. WAS THE HEAD OF THE TERITORIJALNE
-
ODBRANA (TO) IN KEVLJANI BEFORE THE WAR. THE
TERRITORIAL DEFENSE GROUP WAS COMPOSED OF MUSLIMS,
CROATS, AND SERBS. THE GROUP HAD 7 AUTOMATIC RIFLES,
4 M48 RIFLES, AND 2 PISTOLS. THE TO IN KEVLJANI
COMBINED WITH THE VILLAGES OF HADZICI, JAKUPOVICI,
AND GORNJI PETROV GAJ. THE GROUP HAD 23 GUNS TOTAL,
SAID S.V.
4. (U) ON MAY 26, SERBS ATTACKED HIS VILLAGE. THE
VILLAGERS FLED TO THE WOODS, BUT AFTER SPENDING THE
NIGHT IN THE WOODS UNDER HEAVY SHELLING, MANY WOMEN
WANTED TO SURRENDER. S.V. AND AN IMAM LED A GROUP OF
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WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER A WHITE FLAG TO THE SCHOOL
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02 CIAE-00 HA-09 INRE-00
INR-01 IO-19 ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 RP-10 SR-00
/046W
-------------- 807D27 011241Z /38
P 011036Z DEC 92
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2889
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION USVIENNA
USIA WASHDC 2523
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1135
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DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 02 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
TO SURRENDER. A SERBIAN OFFICER NICKNAMED CIGO TOLD
THE GROUP THE WHOLE VILLAGE HAD TWO HOURS TO
SURRENDER. CIGO WAS THE HEAD OF THE TANK REGIMENT
WHICH ATTACKED KEVLJANI. S.V. SAID HE SURRENDERED TO
CIGO ALL THE WEAPONS THE GROUP HAD, IN HOPES THAT THE
VILLAGE WOULD BE SPARED. HOWEVER, THE SERBIAN ARMY
BURNED MOST HOUSES TO THE GROUND, AND SENT ALL
MUSLIMS AND CROATIANS IN BUSES TO PRIJEDOR. AT 4:00
P.M, THE MEN WERE TAKEN TO THE KERATERM FACTORY ON
THE EDGE OF TOWN, AND THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE
TAKEN TO THE YOUTH CENTER IN TOWN. S.V. SAID 24
BUSES PULLED UP TO KERATERM. HOWEVER, THE CAMP WAS
FULL AND THE PRISONERS COULD NOT UNLOAD. THE CONVOY
CONTINUED ONWARD IN A LOW-PROFILE, ROUND-ABOUT WAY
THROUGH TOMASICA TO OMARSKA CAMP. THEY ARRIVED ABOUT
11:00 P.M.
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5. (U) S.V. SAID HE WAS IN BUILDING NUMBER 11, IN A
ROOM 15 BY 15 METERS LARGE. HE BELIEVES OVER 450 MEN
WERE FORCED INTO THE ROOM. THE ROOM WAS TOO SMALL
FOR EVERYONE TO LIE DOWN, SO THEY TOOK TURNS SITTING
AND STANDING. S.V. SLEPT HERE FOR 22 DAYS. ONLY
AFTER 3 DAYS DID THE MEN RECEIVE ANY WATER, ABOUT 10
LITERS TO DRINK FOR 450 MEN. THE PRISONERS WERE MADE
TO RUN A TYPE OF OBSTACLE COURSE WHEN THEY WERE FED.
ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAFETERIA, THEY HAD TO PASS
SINGLE FILE BETWEEN SERBIAN GUARDS, WHO TRIPPED AND
BEAT ALMOST EACH PRISONER AS HE RAN BY. BENCHES AND
TABLES BLOCKED THEIR PATH, AND, IF THE PRISONERS
STUMBLED OVER THESE, THEY WERE BEATEN EVEN MORE. A
MEAL CONSISTED OF 90 G. OF BREAD AND MAYBE SOME SOUP
BROTH OR A CABBAGE LEAF. OFTEN, S.V. SAID, 24 TO 60
HOURS WOULD PASS BETWEEN MEALS.
6. (U) ON HIS 22ND DAY AT THE CAMP (AROUND JUNE
18-19),S.V. WAS CALLED OUT OF THE ROOM AT 2 A.M. HE
WAS INTERROGATED BY ZDRAVKO GOVEDARICA, A SERBIAN
FROM THE VILLAGE OF MRKONJIC GRAD, NEAR JAJCE, WHOM
HE KNEW BEFORE THE WAR. THE MAN WAS AN OFFICER, WITH
THREE CHEVRON MARKS ON HIS UNIFORM, S.V. SAID. S.V.
WAS REPEATEDLY QUESTIONED ABOUT THE LOCATION OF A
LARGE GUN CALLED A MITRALJEZ BREDA. S.V. DENIED ANY
KNOWLEDGE OF THIS GUN, AND CLAIMED THAT THE TO IN
KEVLJANI NEVER OWNED SUCH A GUN. THE KEVLJANI TO HAD
SURRENDERED ALL THEIR WEAPONS TO CIGO, DURING THE
SERBIAN ATTACK ON THEIR VILLAGE.
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7. (U) S.V. WAS TAKEN TO BUILDING 10, TO A ROOM
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02 CIAE-00 HA-09 INRE-00
INR-01 IO-19 ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 RP-10 SR-00
/046W
-------------- 807D65 011243Z /38
P 011036Z DEC 92
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2890
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION USVIENNA
USIA WASHDC 2524
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1136
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DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 03 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
WITH FOUR SOLDIERS. S.V. WAS MADE TO UNDRESS TO HIS
UNDERWEAR, AND TOLD TO LIE DOWN ON HIS STOMACH ON THE
TILE FLOOR. ONE GUARD TOOK AN IRON CHAIR, PUT IT ON
S.V.'S BACK AND SAT DOWN. ANOTHER GUARD TOOK A LARGE
CALIBER AUTOMATIC RIFLE AND BEAT S.V. ON HIS SPINE
WITH THE BUTT OF THE RIFLE, POUNDING EACH VERTEBRA
TWICE. A THIRD GUARD CONTINUALLY KICKED S.V. ALONG
HIS LEGS AND GROIN. ONE GUARD POUNDED HIS RIB CAGE
CONTINUALLY. S.V. NOW HAS 4 BROKEN RIBS ON HIS LEFT
SIDE. THE INSPECTOR GOVEDARICA ENTERED THE ROOM
DURING S.V.'S BEATING. S.V. SCREAMED FOR THE GUARDS
TO STOP, BUT THEY CONTINUED. ONE GAVE HIM A SHEET OF
MEDICAL PILLS PACKAGED IN A METAL AND PLASTIC,
POP-THROUGH SHEET TO BITE ONTO TO PREVENT HIM FROM
SCREAMING. THIS METAL/PLASTIC SHEET ONLY CUT UP
S.V.'S MOUTH, LEAVING SCARS WHICH HE SHOWED TO
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EMBOFF, AND MADE HIM ALMOST UNABLE TO EAT FOR WEEKS.
-
8. (U) S.V. LOST CONSCIOUSNESS, BUT WHEN HE AWOKE,
THE FOUR GUARDS WERE STANDING AROUND HIM, AND BEGAN
TO BEAT HIM AGAIN, ON HIS LEGS, SHOULDERS, AND HEAD.
HE SAID HE HEARD A VOICE SAY SEVERAL TIMES "NOT ON
HIS HEAD|" ONE GUARD TOOK A POLICE BATON, STRADDLED
S.V.'S BACK, AND BEAT HIS BACK AND RIBS CONTINUALLY.
S.V. SAID HE FELT THE PAIN OF ONLY THE FIRST TEN
BLOWS, THEN FELT NO MORE. ANOTHER GUARD PULLED OUT A
KNIFE AND SAID HE WOULD CIRCUMCIZE S.V. THE GUARD
THEN CUT S.V.'S KNEE CAP, BUT S.V. SAID HE DID NOT
EVEN FEEL THE KNIFE AS HE WATCHED BLOOD POUR OUT OF
HIS LEG.
9. (U) THE GUARDS MADE HIM STAND UP, BUT S.V.
PRETENDED TO FAINT. THE GUARDS DID NOT BELIEVE HE
FAINTED, AND FORCED S.V. UP AGAIN. ON HIS THIRD
ATTEMPT TO STAND, S.V. DID LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS AS HE
FELL ON HIS LEFT SIDE, WITH THE BROKEN RIBS. THE
GUARDS THREW WATER ON HIM TO WAKEN HIM. THEY
RETURNED HIS CLOTHES, AND S.V. WAS ABLE TO PULL ON
HIS PANTS AND BOOTS BEFORE THEY WALKED HIM BACK TO A
ROOM. S.V. SAID HE WAS THE FIRST PRISONER IN OMARSKA
TO BE RETURNED TO THE ROOMS AFTER A BEATING, AND NOT
KILLED OR TAKEN TO THE SO-CALLED WHITE HOUSE. S.V.
WAS TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE OTHERS OF WHAT MIGHT
HAPPEN TO THEM. IT WAS 5:00 A.M. S.V. WAS BEATEN
FOR THREE HOURS. HE SAID HE WAS SO BLACK AND BLUE
THAT THERE WAS NOT ONE WHITE SPOT AS LARGE AS A
FINGERTIP ON HIS ENTIRE BODY.
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02 CIAE-00 HA-09 INRE-00
INR-01 IO-19 ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 RP-10 SR-00
(ADS)
-------------- 813337 022145Z /38
P 011036Z DEC 92
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2891
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION USVIENNA
USIA WASHDC 2525
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USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1137
DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 04 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
10. (U) S.V. TOOK ONE STEP INTO THE ROOM AND
FAINTED. HE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF HIS MUSCLES AND
HAD A DIARRHEA ATTACK THERE. HE WAS UNABLE TO WASH
HIMSELF FOR OVER ONE MONTH, HE SAID. S.V. THOUGHT HE
LAY THERE FOR A FEW HOURS, BUT WAS TOLD HE LAY
UNCONSCIOUS FOR TWO DAYS. HE CAME TO WHEN HE HEARD
HIS NAME CALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAMP GUARDS WERE
CALLING FOR HIM TO EXIT THE ROOM. AS S.V. WAS UNABLE
TO WALK, SIX OTHER PRISONERS PUT HIM ON A BLANKET,
AND CARRIED HIM INTO THE HALLWAY. ONE GUARD ASKED,
"WHERE'S YOUR GUN?" THEY WERE LOOKING FOR S.V.'S
PERSONAL HUNTING RIFLE FROM HIS HOME, WHICH S.V. HAD
TURNED OVER TO CIGO WITH ALL THE OTHER GUNS IN THE
TOWN. THE GUARDS EVEN ASKED FOR ALL SEVENTY BULLETS
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THAT S.V. OWNED AT THAT TIME.
11. (U) FROM THIS HALLWAY, S.V. WAS CARRIED ON HIS
BLANKET TO ANOTHER ROOM OF 36 MEN WHO WERE ALL SICK.
S.V. SAID HE OCCUPIED A SPACE BEHIND THE DOOR OF THE
ROOM, ABOUT 80 CENTIMETERS LONG. AS HE LAY FOR
SEVERAL DAYS IN A FETAL POSITION, HE WAS OCCASIONALLY
ABLE TO MOVE HIS HEAD, HANDS, AND FEET, BUT HE
RECEIVED ABSOLUTELY NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WHATSOEVER.
A COUSIN OF HIS WAS IN THIS ROOM AND TENDED TO HIM.
ONE DAY, GUARDS CAME INTO THE ROOM AND BEAT PEOPLE AT
RANDOM WITH POLICE BATONS. HIS COUSIN WAS
PISTOL-WHIPPED IN THE FACE. S.V. LAY BEHIND THE
DOOR, AND SO WAS SPARED MORE INJURY AT THIS TIME.
12. (U) S.V. COUGHED DESPERATELY. HE SUCCEEDED IN
TURNING ONTO HIS BACK AFTER TWO DAYS OF TRYING. HE
HAD JUST A FEW GULPS OF WATER DAILY. HIS WOUNDS
BEGAN TO HEAL SLOWLY. HIS COUSIN MANAGED TO BRING A
LITTLE FOOD TO HIM DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS. AFTER A
WEEK, S.V. WANTED TO GO TO THE CAFETERIA TO EAT WITH
THE OTHERS, BUT HAD TO RUN THE OBSTACLE COURSE JUST
LIKE THE REST OF THE PRISONERS.
13. (U) TWO WEEKS LATER, THE GUARDS BEGAN
SYSTEMATICALLY TO EMPTY OUT SEVERAL ROOMS, INCLUDING
THE SICK ROOM S.V. WAS IN. S.V. WAS PUT IN A MUCH
LARGER ROOM, IN ROOM 15 WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED MEN.
FOR 37 DAYS AFTER HIS BEATING, HE WAS LEFT ALONE.
THEN HE WAS SENT A SECOND TIME FOR QUESTIONING TO
INSPECTOR DRAGE MEAKIC, WHOSE BROTHER WAS THE CAMP
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COMMANDER. MEAKIC WAS A POLICE CRIMINAL INSPECTOR
BEFORE THE WAR WHO WAS KNOWN TO S.V. MEAKIC SHOWED
GREAT INTEREST IN A LIST OF 101 MEN FROM KEVLJANI, OF
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02 CIAE-00 HA-09 INRE-00
INR-01 IO-19 ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 RP-10 SR-00
/046W
-------------- 807D8A 011245Z /38
P 011036Z DEC 92
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2892
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION USVIENNA
USIA WASHDC 2526
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1138
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DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 05 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
ALL THREE ETHNIC GROUPS, WHO WERE IN THE TO THERE.
S.V.'S NAME WAS ON THIS LIST. HE UNDERWENT A THIRD
QUESTIONING WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
-
14. (U) ROOM 15 HELD ABOUT 300-350 MEN. IT HAD A
SMALL BATHROOM AREA, WITH LONG, CEMENT, TROUGH-STYLE
SINKS. FOR LACK OF SPACE, MEN SLEPT IN AND UNDER
THESE SINKS. THREE FAUCETS WORKED, SO IT WAS THE
ONLY ROOM WITH WATER AVAILABLE TO THE PRISONERS.
S.V. GOT A PLACE UNDER ONE SINK. THE STENCH WAS
TERRIBLE, AS THE SINKS WERE USED AS TOILETS BY THE
PRISONERS. HE SLEPT 10 DAYS IN THIS PLACE. THEN HE
WAS MOVED ACROSS THE HALL TO THE SHOWER STALLS. TWO
PEOPLE SLEPT IN EACH STALL, ONE METER SQUARE. S.V.
SAID HE COULD ONLY STRETCH HIS LEGS IF HE EXTENDED
THEM UP THE SIDE WALL. HE STAYED HERE UNTIL EARLY
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AUGUST, WHEN THE ICRC AND JOURNALISTS CAME TO THE
CAMP.
15. (LOU) S.V. NAMED SEVEN OF EIGHT PEOPLE HE SAID
WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM THIS SHOWER AREA AND NEVER SEEN
AGAIN. THEY WERE:
- IBRO PAUNOVIC (PROTECT),FROM PRIJEDOR, WHO WAS
THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OF THE OMARSKA AND
TOMASICA MINES
- ESO MEHMEDAGIC (PROTECT),AN ALMOST BLIND MAN
- STJEPAN MARIC (PROTECT)
- MIROSLAV SOLAJA (PROTECT),DIED FROM WOUNDS
INFLICTED DURING A BEATING.
- MIROSLAV (FNU)
- SAKIB PERVANIC (PROTECT),TAKEN AWAY BY A MAN
WHOM S.V. IDENTIFIED AS THE SON OF RADE GRUBAN, A
SERB.
- SMAJO GARIBOVIC (PROTECT),
16. (U) IN EARLY AUGUST, THE GUARDS AT OMARSKA
BECAME VERY UNSETTLED AND MOVED MEN FROM ROOM TO
ROOM. 184 MEN, INCLUDING S.V. WERE TRANSFERRED TO A
GARAGE ABOUT 25 METERS SQUARE. AFTER 3 DAYS, 88 OF
THEM, INCLUDING S.V., WERE TAKEN TO THE SOCALLED
WHITE HOUSE . THE NEXT DAY, AUGUST 6, 1200 MEN WERE
SENT ON A CONVOY TO MANJACA AS S.V. LATER FOUND OUT.
THEN 1000 MEN WERE SENT TO TRNOPOLJE CAMP. ONLY THE
184 MEN SINGLED OUT BEFORE WERE LEFT IN OMARSKA.
THEY WERE LED TO A LARGE ROOM WHERE THEY HAD TO
ASSEMBLE AND MAKE ARMY BEDS.
17. (U) S.V. WAS LED AWAY BY FOUR SOLDIERS TO A
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NEARBY ROOM. HE WAS AGAIN BEATEN TERRIBLY. S.V.
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02 CIAE-00 HA-09 INRE-00
INR-01 IO-19 ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 RP-10 SR-00
/046W
-------------- 807DA1 011245Z /38
P 011036Z DEC 92
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2893
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION USVIENNA
USIA WASHDC 2527
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1139
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 02544 06 OF 06 011245Z
DIA WASHDC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2//
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 06 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO
-
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE
-
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT: CYGOOL: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA-
- HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42
STOOD SPREAD-EAGLE AGAINST THE WALL WITH THE FIRST
THREE FINGERS HELD UP OF EACH HAND. (NOTE: THIS IS
THE SERBIAN CHETNIK SYMBOL. END NOTE.) HE WAS
BEATEN WITH BATONS ON ALL HIS JOINTS, AND HIS LEGS
BUCKLED UNDERNEATH HIM. ONE GUARD BROUGHT A
COCKROACH AND MADE S.V. EAT IT FROM HIS HAND. THIS
GUARD THEN CLAIMED THAT S.V. BIT HIM. THREE OF THE
SOLDIERS BEAT S.V. VICIOUSLY ON HIS CHEST, BACK AND
LEGS WITH POLICE BATONS. WHEN S.V. FELL, A GUARD
STOOD ON HIS FACE AND RUBBED IT WITH HIS BOOT INTO
THE FLOOR. WHEN S.V. WAS SENT TO THE BATHROOM TO
WASH, A GUARD FOLLOWED, AND BEAT HIM WITH THICK CABLE
WIRE ALONG THE WAY. S.V. SAID HE BELIEVES HE WAS THE
LAST MAN SEVERELY BEATEN IN OMARSKA CAMP.
18. (U) ALTHOUGH THE PRISONERS HAD MADE 120 BEDS,
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THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SLEEP ON THEM, BUT HAD TO
SLEEP ON THE FLOOR OF THE HALLWAY IN THAT BUILDING.
ON AUGUST 12, INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS ARRIVED AT
OMARSKA. THE SERBS TOLD THE JOURNALISTS THAT THE
PRISONERS THERE HAD BEEN HELD FOR TWO TO THREE WEEKS
FOR INTERROGATION. THE JOURNALISTS HAD BROUGHT ICRC
REGISTRATION CARDS AND REGISTERED ALL THE PRISONERS.
S.V. SAID THE REPORTERS TOLD THEM THAT THEY WERE NOW
CITIZENS OF THE U.N. THE PRISONERS WERE ALLOWED TO
SLEEP ON THE BEDS FOR THREE NIGHTS. ON AUGUST 21,
ALL THE REMAINING PRISONERS IN OMARSKA WERE TAKEN TO
MANJACA CAMP. S.V. SAID THAT THE MEN WERE NO LONGER
BEATEN REGULARLY AND SEVERELY FROM THAT POINT AND
THAT THE ICRC CAME REGULARLY TO CHECK ON THEIR
CONDITION AND BRING THEM FOOD.
NEITZKE
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