Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
95ZAGREB4339
1995-10-31 09:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 ZAGREB 004339
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 01 OF 05 311100Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 ZAGREB 004339
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 01 OF 05 311100Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
1. (U) CLASSIFIED BY ROBERT P. FINN, DEPUTY CHIEF OF
MISSION. REASON: 1.5 (D)
--------------
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
--------------
2. (U) DRL A/S SHATTUCK TRAVELED TO ZENICA AND KAKANJ
OCTOBER 16-18 TO ASCERTAIN THE DIMENSION OF THE HUMAN
RIGHTS CRIMES COMMITTED DURING THE EXPULSIONS OF
MINORITIES BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS FROM THE BANJA LUKA AREA
OCTOBER 6-12. THE FOLLOWING ARE SUMMARIZED FIRST-HAND
ACCOUNTS A/S SHATTUCK RECEIVED FROM MUSLIMS AND CROATS
DISPLACED FROM THE AREA. THE EVENTS ARE DESCRIBED AS
RELATED. SOME DETAILS FROM THE VARIOUS ACCOUNTS DO NOT
MATCH, BUT THESE WITNESSES APPEARED CREDIBLE TO THE
INTERVIEWERS.
3. (U) THE SUBJECTS AGREED TO SPEAK ONLY ON THE
CONDITION THAT THEIR NAMES OR DESCRIPTIONS NOT BE REVEALED
PUBLICLY OR DISSEMINATED FOR FEAR THAT THAT WOULD ENDANGER
RELATIVES STILL UNDER SERBIAN DETENTION IN B-H.
ACCORDINGLY, WE ARE PROVIDING INITIALS ONLY.
4. (U) UNPROFOR CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICIALS CONDUCTED
PARALLEL INTERVIEWS AND PREPARED A REPORT WHICH IS
AVAILABLE IN THE DEPARTMENT (DRL). END SUMMARY.
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 04339 01 OF 05 311100Z
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #1 - M. P. (PROTECT)
--------------
5. (U) THIS MUSLIM WOMAN (42) WAS FORCED OUT OF HER HOME
IN BOSANSKA DUBICA OCTOBER 10 AT GUNPOINT BY
PARAMILITARIES WEARING BLACK STOCKINGS OVER THEIR HEADS.
SHE LEFT BEHIND TWO CHILDREN AND HER HUSBAND. THEY WERE
TOLD THAT SHE WOULD BE KILLED BY AN EXECUTION SQUAD. SHE
WAS BEATEN AND DRAGGED AWAY BY HER HAIR. SHE WAS HELD IN
A PARKING LOT IN TOWN. SHE PERSONALLY WITNESSED TWO WOMEN
AND THREE MEN BEATEN TO DEATH. SHE SAID THE SERBS HAD A
LIST OF 140 NAMES OF MUSLIMS TO BE FORCED OUT OF THEIR
HOMES. SHE BELIEVES 300 OTHER PEOPLE ARE MISSING FROM THE
AREA. SHE SAID THAT THE SITUATION FOR MINORITIES IN
DUBICA HAD BEEN STRESSFUL BUT CALM UNTIL MID-SEPTEMBER
WHEN THE PARAMILITARY ARMY OF ARKAN BEGAN TO ARRIVE IN THE
AREA. SHE LEFT BEHIND IN DUBICA HER MOTHER Z. (76),
HUSBAND E., AND TWO CHILDREN, (17 AND 10).
-- INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #2 - H. C. (PROTECT)
--------------
6. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (35) SPENT THE THREE WAR YEARS IN
FORCED LABOR DIGGING TRENCHES FOR THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY
(BSA). HE WAS FORCED OUT OF HIS HOME IN BOSANSKA DUBICA
OCTOBER 10. SOLDIERS WEARING MASKS TOOK HIM AWAY AT
GUNPOINT AROUND MIDNIGHT WITH HIS BROTHER AND MOTHER.
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 04339 01 OF 05 311100Z
THEY WERE ALL FORCED INTO THE BACK OF A TRUCK. SERB
SOLDIERS DROVE SYSTEMATICALLY FROM STREET TO STREET,
TAKING AWAY SPECIFIC PEOPLE WHOSE NAMES THEY CALLED FROM A
LIST. HE WATCHED HELPLESSLY AS A SOLDIER BEAT HIS BROTHER
WITH A RIFLE BUTT AND ALMOST STRANGLED HIM. THE TRUCK WAS
BROUGHT TO A PARKING LOT AND THE PEOPLE WERE HELD FOR TWO
DAYS. HE ESTIMATED THAT 200 PEOPLE WERE HELD THERE. SOME
YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS WERE TAKEN AWAY BY THE SOLDIERS.
THE TRUCK DROVE AWAY TOWARDS BOSNIAN ARMY (ABH) TERRITORY.
WHILE FORCED TO CROSS THE CONFRONTATION LINE, HE SAW MANY
DEAD BODIES LYING AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TWO OF HIS
BROTHERS REMAIN MISSING. -- INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #3 - M. K. (PROTECT)
--------------
7. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (IN HIS SIXTIES) WAS FORCED OUT
OF HIS HOME IN PRIJEDOR OCTOBER 9. HE HAD WORKED FOR THE
BSA AS A TAILOR THROUGHOUT THE WAR AND HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN
TOLD BY THE SOLDIERS THAT HE WOULD BE PROTECTED. HE WAS
FORCED TO WEAR A WHITE ARMBAND IN TOWN IDENTIFYING HIM AS
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 ANHR-01 SRPP-00
EB-01 OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PRS-01 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PRM-10 PRME-01 PRMC-01
DRL-09 G-00 /032W
-------------- FB6D08 311100Z /38
O 310956Z OCT 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7840
INFO NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
USLO SKOPJE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION GENEVA
NSC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
DIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 05 ZAGREB 004339
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 02 OF 05 311100Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
A MUSLIM. HE WAS EXPELLED ONTO THE STREET WITH HIS WIFE,
DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, AND GRANDDAUGHTER. HIS SON LIVES IN
CHICAGO. THEY WANDERED FOR THREE DAYS, AND HID AT HIS
SISTER'S HOME. SHE WAS MARRIED TO A SERB. HE WAS BEATEN
AND LOST SEVERAL TEETH. (HE SHOWED THE BRUISES ON HIS
BACK.) HE BELIEVES ARKAN TROOPS CARRIED OUT THE
EXPULSIONS. ON THE FOURTH DAY, THEY LEARNED OF BUSES
BEING ORGANIZED TO TAKE MUSLIMS TO ABH-HELD TERRITORY.
THE FAMILY BOARDED ONE BUS. IN THE TOWN OF TESLIC, NEAR
THE CONFRONTATION LINE, THEY WERE FORCED TO GIVE UP THEIR
MONEY AND IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS. SOLDIERS SEARCHED
EVERYONE FOR MONEY, INCLUDING THE UNDERGARMENTS OF OLD
WOMEN. FIVE YOUNG MEN WERE TAKEN OFF THE BUS INTO THE
FOREST BY THE SOLDIERS. THE SUBJECT'S WIFE PAID DM 400
FOR HIS RETURN, YET THE SOLDIERS DID NOT RETURN HIM AS
THEY HAD PROMISED.
8. (U) THE GROUP WAS FORCED TO WALK SEVERAL KILOMETERS
IN THE NIGHT TOWARDS THE LINE. SOME PEOPLE WERE BEATEN
WHEN THEY GOT OFF THE BUS. SOLDIERS WEARING STOCKINGS
OVER THEIR HEADS BEAT THEM AGAIN NEAR A SMALL RIVER. WHEN
ASKED BY ONE SOLDIER HOW HE HAD RECEIVED HIS BRUISES, THE
SUBJECT REPLIED, "I FELL." THE SOLDIER SMIRKED AND SAID,
"THAT'S THE RIGHT ANSWER!" A DEAD BODY WAS LYING ON A LOG
IN THE STREAM. THE GROUP WAS FORCED TO CROSS SEVERAL
HUNDRED METERS OF THE RIVER BY FOOT. EVERYONE WAS WET UP
TO HIS CHEST. TWO ELDERLY WOMEN FROM THE BUS WERE UNABLE
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 04339 02 OF 05 311100Z
TO MOVE AND WERE LEFT BEHIND. HE LATER SAW SOLDIERS THROW
THEM INTO THE STREAM. THIS MAN ESTIMATED THAT BETWEEN
1000 AND 2000 MUSLIMS WERE LEFT BEHIND IN PRIJEDOR. --
INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #4 - N. C. (PROTECT)
--------------
9. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (ABOUT 70) AND HIS WIFE WERE
FORCED FROM THEIR APARTMENT IN PRIJEDOR O/A OCTOBER 6. HE
ALSO REPORTED WEARING WHITE ARMBANDS AS IDENTIFICATION.
HE SAID HE PAID MUCH MONEY TO BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE. THE
FAMILY HAD BEEN HARASSED MORE THAN USUAL BY SOLDIERS AND
NEIGHBORS FOR ONE MONTH. THEY WERE FORCED ONTO A BUS
BOUND FOR BANJA LUKA, ABOUT FORTY MILES AWAY. THIS BUS
STOPPED OVER 10 TIMES EN ROUTE AS SOLDIERS STOLE VALUABLES
AND MONEY. THIS MAN SAID THAT WHEN THEY EVENTUALLY
REACHED THE CONFRONTATION LINE, THEY WERE FORCED TO WALK
THROUGH AREAS MARKED AS MINE FIELDS.
-- INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #5 - A. P. (PROTECT)
--------------
10. (U) THIS DIVORCED MUSLIM WOMAN (30) LIVED WITH HER
PARENTS AND 14-YEAR-OLD SON IN BOSANSKA DUBICA. ON THE
NIGHT OF OCTOBER 10, AFTER MIDNIGHT, 5-6 SERB SOLDIERS
KNOCKED AT THE DOOR AND TOLD THE FAMILY THEY HAD ONE
MINUTE TO LEAVE. SHE TOOK TWO BAGS SHE HAD PREVIOUSLY
PACKED AND THE FAMILY WAS HERDED ONTO A TRUCK OUTSIDE.
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 04339 02 OF 05 311100Z
SHE HEARD NAMES BEING CALLED OUT AND OTHER NEIGHBORS WERE
FORCED ONTO THIS TRUCK. THE SERBS TOOK 150 PEOPLE TO A
CROWDED WAREHOUSE IN DUBICA WHERE THEY WERE LEFT UNTIL
MORNING. DURING THE NIGHT, HER FATHER WAS BEATEN WHEN HE
ASKED A SOLDIER FOR THE BATHROOM. INDIVIDUALS WERE CALLED
OUT OF THE ROOM. SHE WAS MADE TO STAND IN A CORNER WITH
OTHER WOMEN. LATER SHE WAS LED OUTSIDE, BEHIND THE
BUILDING WHERE THREE YOUNG SOLDIERS, AGE 19-20, EACH RAPED
HER. SHE DID NOT CALL OUT BECAUSE THEY THREATENED HER IF
SHE DID. THE SOLDIERS IN THE WHOLE COMPOUND IDENTIFIED
THEMSELVES TO EACH OTHER WITH NUMBERS, NOT CODE NAMES.
11. (U) IN THE MORNING, ANOTHER TRUCK CARRIED ALL 150
PEOPLE THROUGH BANJA LUKA TO ABH-HELD TERRITORY. THE RIDE
TOOK MANY HOURS AND NO ONE WAS GIVEN ANY FOOD OR WATER.
THE PEOPLE WERE PACKED LIKE SARDINES. SOME USED HANDBAGS
TO URINATE OR DEFECATE INTO. BEFORE THE RIVER CROSSING,
THE SOLDIERS ROBBED THEM OF MONEY AND VALUABLES. THE
SOLDIERS THREW OLD PEOPLE INTO THE RIVER IF THEY HAD NO
MONEY. SHE SAW THREE DEAD PEOPLE ALONG THE ROAD NEAR THE
RIVER. SHE ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 150 MUSLIMS WERE LEFT IN
DUBICA. -- INTERVIEWED BY POLOFF MARIC
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 ANHR-01 SRPP-00
EB-01 OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PRS-01 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PRM-10 PRME-01 PRMC-01
DRL-09 G-00 /032W
-------------- FB6D0D 311101Z /38
O 310956Z OCT 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7841
INFO NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
USLO SKOPJE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION GENEVA
NSC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
DIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 05 ZAGREB 004339
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 03 OF 05 311101Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #6 - I. G. (PROTECT)
--------------
12. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (58) WAS EXPELLED FROM HIS HOME
IN PRIJEDOR IN JANUARY, 1995. HE HAD STAYED WITH IN-LAWS
FOR MOST OF THE YEAR. HE WAS ON THE ICRC LIST OF PEOPLE
WHO WISH TO JOIN RELATIVES ABROAD. ON OCTOBER 4, HE WAS
FORCED BY SOLDIERS TO GO TO THE STADIUM IN PRIJEDOR, WHERE
HE WAITED WITH MANY OTHER MUSLIMS FOR A LONG TIME. CIVIL
POLICE PUT EVERYONE ON FIVE BUSES. THEY WERE DRIVEN TO A
PLACE NEAR TESLIC CALLED VUCE GLAVE, THEN FORCED TO WADE
ACROSS A WAIST-DEEP RIVER FOR OVER 300 METERS. THIS
CROSSING WAS MADE BETWEEN 2200 AND 0500. HE BELIEVES FOUR
WOMEN AND ONE MAN DROWNED IN THE RIVER. ALTHOUGH SOLDIERS
ROBBED THE PASSENGERS IN HIS BUS, NO ONE WAS TAKEN OFF.
HE NAMED DRAGAN DJEBRIC AS THE SERB WHO, WITH 5-6 OTHERS,
FORCED HIM AT GUNPOINT TO LEAVE HIS HOME IN JANUARY, AND
THEN MOVED IN. -- INTERVIEWED BY POLOFF MARIC.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #7 - V. Z. (PROTECT)
--------------
13. (U) THIS CROATIAN WOMAN (42) WAS A LAWYER FROM
PRIJEDOR. SHE LIVED WITH HER MOTHER IN AN APARTMENT IN
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 04339 03 OF 05 311101Z
TOWN. ON OCTOBER 7, THEY WERE ORDERED BY MILITARY POLICE
TO LEAVE THEIR HOME AND WERE HELD IN THE STADIUM. THEY
WERE LATER PUT ON BUSES BOUND FOR ABH-HELD TERRITORY.
SEVEN BUSES LEFT PRIJEDOR THAT DAY. SHE, TOO, HAD TO
CROSS A RIVER IN THE NIGHT TO REACH SAFE LAND.
-- INTERVIEWED BY POLOFF MARIC.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #8 - UNNAMED MAN
--------------
14. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (53 - WHO REFUSED TO GIVE HIS
NAME) AND HIS THREE YOUNG CHILDREN WERE FORCED FROM THEIR
HOME IN PRIJEDOR ON OCTOBER 9-10. HE TRAVELED TO THE
CONFRONTATION LINE IN A CONVOY OF 13 BUSES. BEFORE THE
CONVOY'S DEPARTURE, SOLDIERS TOOK DRAFT-AGE MEN OFF THE
BUSES. TWO WERE TAKEN FROM HIS BUS, ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT.
THROUGH THE WINDOW, HE ESTIMATED THAT 50 MEN WERE KEPT
BEHIND BY THE SERBS.
15. (U) HIS WIFE HAD BEEN IN THE BANJA LUKA MILITARY
JAIL SINCE MARCH. SHE HAD BEEN A LEADER IN THE MUSLIM RED
CROSS, MERHAMET, IN PRIJEDOR WHEN SHE AND OTHER MERHAMET
LEADERS WERE ARRESTED FOR ESPIONAGE BY THE SERBS. HE HAD
BEEN ABLE TO VISIT HER THREE TIMES IN JAIL, AND THEIR
CHILDREN HAD VISITED HER TWICE A MONTH. HE FEARED VERY
MUCH FOR HER SAFETY AND THAT OF THE OTHER TEN.
16. (U) HIS WIFE HAD TOLD THEM SECRETLY THAT THERE WAS
ANOTHER MAN HIDDEN IN THE JAIL SINCE EARLY 1992. HE WAS
V. S., (PROTECT) A CROATIAN ARMY PILOT CAPTURED IN
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 04339 03 OF 05 311101Z
DECEMBER, 1991 IN TURANJ, NEAR KARLOVAC. HE WAS A LONG-
TIME FRIEND OF BOTH. SIMUNAC HAD GONE TO MILITARY ACADEMY
WITH RATKO MLADIC. HE LIVED IN THE SMALL ROOM NEAR THE
BATHROOM, AND WAS MOVED FROM IT WHENEVER VISITORS ARRIVED.
THE MERHAMET LEADERS COMMUNICATED WITH HIM BY LEAVING
MESSAGES IN A SMALL HOLE IN THE BATHROOM. THE SUBJECT HAD
EVEN BROUGHT HIS WIFE CIGARETTES TO LEAVE FOR SIMUNAC.
THE MAN FEARED THAT IF THE SERBS LEARNED THAT THE OTHERS
HAD PASSED ON THE INFORMATION ABOUT SIMUNAC, THEY WOULD
KILL EVERYONE IN THE JAIL. WE HAVE PASSED ON THIS
INFORMATION TO ICRC HQ IN ZAGREB. -- INTERVIEWED BY
POLOFF MARIC.
--------------
KAKANJ INTERVIEW #1 - UNNAMED WOMAN
--------------
17. (U) THIS WOMAN (40) REFUSED TO GIVE HER NAME. SHE
WAS FORCED FROM BOSANSKI NOVI ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 11-
12, ABOUT 0100. HER ELDERLY FATHER WAS BEATEN UNCONSCIOUS
BY SOLDIERS. ARKAN SOLDIERS WEARING IDENTIFIABLE INSIGNIA
ENTERED THE HOUSE WEARING SKI MASKS. THEY FORCED EVERYONE
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 ANHR-01 SRPP-00
EB-01 OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PRS-01 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PRM-10 PRME-01 PRMC-01
DRL-09 G-00 /032W
-------------- FB6D16 311101Z /38
O 310956Z OCT 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7842
INFO NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
USLO SKOPJE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION GENEVA
NSC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
DIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 05 ZAGREB 004339
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 04 OF 05 311101Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
ONTO A BUS AND TOLD THEM THEY WERE GOING TO BE EXECUTED.
THEY WERE EVENTUALLY TAKEN TO A SMALL RIVER WHICH THEY HAD
TO CROSS ON FOOT ALTHOUGH THE WATER WAS CHEST-DEEP.
18. (U) SHE NAMED THE PRIJEDOR POLICE COMMANDER, SIMO
DRLJACA, AS ONE OF THE WORST OFFENDERS OF WAR CRIMES. HE
HAD SLIT THE THROATS OF MANY PEOPLE AND OUGHT TO BE
INDICTED. SHE TOLD OF THE RAPE OF A 76-YEAR-OLD MAN IN
PRIJEDOR LAST YEAR. THE SITUATION FOR CROATS WORSENED IN
PRIJEDOR AFTER THE SERBS LOST THE KRAJINA. SHE SAID SHE
HAD RECENTLY SEEN KARADZIC IN PRIJEDOR. SHE SAID HER
DAUGHTER HAD SEEN ARKAN IN PRIJEDOR BEATING PEOPLE AFTER
THE FALL OF SANSKI MOST TO THE ABH. SHE SAID "GOOD SERBS"
STILL EXISTED, AS SOME HAD HELPED HER THROUGHOUT THE THREE
YEAR PERIOD. -- INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
KAKANJ INTERVIEW #2 - UNNAMED WOMAN
--------------
19. (U) THIS WOMAN (30) AND HER HUSBAND WERE EXPELLED
FROM THEIR HOMES IN PRIJEDOR OCTOBER 7. SHE WAS BEATEN BY
AN ARKAN SOLDIER. HER HUSBAND WAS TAKEN TO THE KERATERM
BRICK FACTORY, WHICH HAD BEEN MADE INTO A DETENTION CAMP
BY THE SERBS, AS THEY HAD DONE IN THE SUMMER OF 1992.
CONDITIONS AT THIS CAMP WERE TERRIBLE. HER HUSBAND AND
ALL THE OTHER MUSLIM MEN HAD BEEN IN FORCED LABOR FOR
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 04339 04 OF 05 311101Z
THREE YEARS. SHE WAS PUT ON A BUS AND TAKEN TO ABH
TERRITORY. ON THE BUS, SOLDIERS THREATENED HER. SHE
WATCHED AS SOLDIERS HELD KNIVES TO CHILDREN'S THROATS TO
FORCE THEIR MOTHERS TO TURN OVER MONEY AND VALUABLES. ONE
SERB WOMAN PRETENDED TO BE A REFUGEE IN ORDER TO LEARN
WHERE THE REFUGEES HAD HIDDEN THEIR MONEY. -- INTERVIEWED
BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
KAKANJ INTERVIEW #3 - UNNAMED MAN
--------------
20. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (60) SAID ARKAN SOLDIERS STARTED
TO ARRIVE IN PRIJEDOR IN MID-SEPTEMBER. HE HAD HEARD A
RUMOR THAT EACH SOLIDER HAD A QUOTA OF 80 MUSLIMS TO KILL.
HE WAS FORCED FROM HIS HOME WITH HIS WHEEL-CHAIR-BOUND
WIFE ON OCTOBER 7. HE HAD HEARD THAT THE SERBS HAD
INTERNED PEOPLE AT THE CEMENT FACTORY IN SANSKI MOST WHILE
THEY STILL HAD CONTROL OVER THAT TERRITORY.
-- INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
KAKANJ INTERVIEW #4 - UNNAMED WOMAN
--------------
21. (U) THIS MUSLIM WOMAN (21) AND HER FAMILY OF FIVE
SISTERS, MOTHER, AND BROTHER (23) WERE FORCED FROM THEIR
HOME IN THE VILLAGE OF TOMINA TO SEHOVICA IN EARLY
OCTOBER. THESE ARE VILLAGES CLOSE TO SANSKI MOST. THE
WOMAN HEARD RUMORS OF 3500 PEOPLE DETAINED AT THE KERAMIKA
FACTORY IN SANSKI MOST. ARKAN SOLDIERS ROUNDED UP THE
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 04339 04 OF 05 311101Z
TOWN'S MUSLIMS AND SENT THEM TO SEHOVICA. AS THEY WALKED
TO SEHOVICA, SHE SAW FOUR DEAD CIVILIANS ON THE ROAD,
THREE WERE SHOT AND ONE HAD HER THROAT SLIT. THE WOMAN'S
FAMILY HID IN A RELATIVE'S SHED FOR EIGHT DAYS IN
SEHOVICA. THEY WERE DISCOVERED BY SOLDIERS AND PUT ONTO
BUSES. THEY HID THEIR BROTHER, AND DRESSED HIM AS A WOMAN
WITH A SCARF ON HIS HEAD. THE BUS DRIVER DISCOVERED HIM,
BUT ALLOWED THE SISTERS TO BRING HIM ON. THE BROTHER,
STILL DISGUISED, HID CRAMPED UNDER THE BUS SEAT FOR MANY
HOURS. THE WOMAN SAID THE BUS DROVE FROM SANSKI MOST TO
PRNJAVOR TO TESLIC. SOLDIERS DEMANDED MONEY AT SEVERAL
STOPS, INCLUDING PRIJEDOR, PRNJAVOR AND TESLIC. THE GROUP
WALKED ACROSS THE CONFRONTATION LINE AT THE RIVER
CROSSING. SHE NAMED TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE MISSING:
KARAMFIL MUSIC, (FATHER'S NAME REDJO, BORN 1965) AND
HAJRUDIN BEHAR (FATHER'S NAME HABIR, BORN 1968).
-- INTERVIEWED BY POLOFF MARIC.
22. (C) PROTECT THE FOLLOWING NAMES.
ZENICA 1: MARIMA PUSIC, MOTHER ZARFINA, HUSBAND EMIN,
DAUGHTER AZRA, SON IRIS.
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 ANHR-01 SRPP-00
EB-01 OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PRS-01 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PRM-10 PRME-01 PRMC-01
DRL-09 G-00 /032W
-------------- FB6D19 311101Z /38
O 310956Z OCT 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7843
INFO NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
USLO SKOPJE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION GENEVA
NSC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
DIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 05 OF 05 ZAGREB 004339
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 05 OF 05 311101Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
ZENICA 2: HILMIJA CERIC, BROTHERS HAMDIJE AND HAMZALHIL.
ZENICA 3: MUHAREM KUSKOVIC
ZENICA 4: NURUDIN CORALIC
ZENICA 5: ADILA PARATUSIC
ZENICA 6: IBRAHIM GRECEVIC
ZENICA 7: VESNA ZEC
ZENICA 8: VLADO SIMUNAC, CROAT HELD CAPTIVE
23. SARAJEVO MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.
GALBRAITH
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NNNN
1995ZAGREB04339 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
v1.6.2
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 01 OF 05 311100Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
1. (U) CLASSIFIED BY ROBERT P. FINN, DEPUTY CHIEF OF
MISSION. REASON: 1.5 (D)
--------------
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
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2. (U) DRL A/S SHATTUCK TRAVELED TO ZENICA AND KAKANJ
OCTOBER 16-18 TO ASCERTAIN THE DIMENSION OF THE HUMAN
RIGHTS CRIMES COMMITTED DURING THE EXPULSIONS OF
MINORITIES BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS FROM THE BANJA LUKA AREA
OCTOBER 6-12. THE FOLLOWING ARE SUMMARIZED FIRST-HAND
ACCOUNTS A/S SHATTUCK RECEIVED FROM MUSLIMS AND CROATS
DISPLACED FROM THE AREA. THE EVENTS ARE DESCRIBED AS
RELATED. SOME DETAILS FROM THE VARIOUS ACCOUNTS DO NOT
MATCH, BUT THESE WITNESSES APPEARED CREDIBLE TO THE
INTERVIEWERS.
3. (U) THE SUBJECTS AGREED TO SPEAK ONLY ON THE
CONDITION THAT THEIR NAMES OR DESCRIPTIONS NOT BE REVEALED
PUBLICLY OR DISSEMINATED FOR FEAR THAT THAT WOULD ENDANGER
RELATIVES STILL UNDER SERBIAN DETENTION IN B-H.
ACCORDINGLY, WE ARE PROVIDING INITIALS ONLY.
4. (U) UNPROFOR CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICIALS CONDUCTED
PARALLEL INTERVIEWS AND PREPARED A REPORT WHICH IS
AVAILABLE IN THE DEPARTMENT (DRL). END SUMMARY.
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ZENICA INTERVIEW #1 - M. P. (PROTECT)
--------------
5. (U) THIS MUSLIM WOMAN (42) WAS FORCED OUT OF HER HOME
IN BOSANSKA DUBICA OCTOBER 10 AT GUNPOINT BY
PARAMILITARIES WEARING BLACK STOCKINGS OVER THEIR HEADS.
SHE LEFT BEHIND TWO CHILDREN AND HER HUSBAND. THEY WERE
TOLD THAT SHE WOULD BE KILLED BY AN EXECUTION SQUAD. SHE
WAS BEATEN AND DRAGGED AWAY BY HER HAIR. SHE WAS HELD IN
A PARKING LOT IN TOWN. SHE PERSONALLY WITNESSED TWO WOMEN
AND THREE MEN BEATEN TO DEATH. SHE SAID THE SERBS HAD A
LIST OF 140 NAMES OF MUSLIMS TO BE FORCED OUT OF THEIR
HOMES. SHE BELIEVES 300 OTHER PEOPLE ARE MISSING FROM THE
AREA. SHE SAID THAT THE SITUATION FOR MINORITIES IN
DUBICA HAD BEEN STRESSFUL BUT CALM UNTIL MID-SEPTEMBER
WHEN THE PARAMILITARY ARMY OF ARKAN BEGAN TO ARRIVE IN THE
AREA. SHE LEFT BEHIND IN DUBICA HER MOTHER Z. (76),
HUSBAND E., AND TWO CHILDREN, (17 AND 10).
-- INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #2 - H. C. (PROTECT)
--------------
6. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (35) SPENT THE THREE WAR YEARS IN
FORCED LABOR DIGGING TRENCHES FOR THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY
(BSA). HE WAS FORCED OUT OF HIS HOME IN BOSANSKA DUBICA
OCTOBER 10. SOLDIERS WEARING MASKS TOOK HIM AWAY AT
GUNPOINT AROUND MIDNIGHT WITH HIS BROTHER AND MOTHER.
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THEY WERE ALL FORCED INTO THE BACK OF A TRUCK. SERB
SOLDIERS DROVE SYSTEMATICALLY FROM STREET TO STREET,
TAKING AWAY SPECIFIC PEOPLE WHOSE NAMES THEY CALLED FROM A
LIST. HE WATCHED HELPLESSLY AS A SOLDIER BEAT HIS BROTHER
WITH A RIFLE BUTT AND ALMOST STRANGLED HIM. THE TRUCK WAS
BROUGHT TO A PARKING LOT AND THE PEOPLE WERE HELD FOR TWO
DAYS. HE ESTIMATED THAT 200 PEOPLE WERE HELD THERE. SOME
YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS WERE TAKEN AWAY BY THE SOLDIERS.
THE TRUCK DROVE AWAY TOWARDS BOSNIAN ARMY (ABH) TERRITORY.
WHILE FORCED TO CROSS THE CONFRONTATION LINE, HE SAW MANY
DEAD BODIES LYING AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TWO OF HIS
BROTHERS REMAIN MISSING. -- INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #3 - M. K. (PROTECT)
--------------
7. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (IN HIS SIXTIES) WAS FORCED OUT
OF HIS HOME IN PRIJEDOR OCTOBER 9. HE HAD WORKED FOR THE
BSA AS A TAILOR THROUGHOUT THE WAR AND HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN
TOLD BY THE SOLDIERS THAT HE WOULD BE PROTECTED. HE WAS
FORCED TO WEAR A WHITE ARMBAND IN TOWN IDENTIFYING HIM AS
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 ANHR-01 SRPP-00
EB-01 OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PRS-01 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PRM-10 PRME-01 PRMC-01
DRL-09 G-00 /032W
-------------- FB6D08 311100Z /38
O 310956Z OCT 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7840
INFO NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
USLO SKOPJE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION GENEVA
NSC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
DIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 05 ZAGREB 004339
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 02 OF 05 311100Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
A MUSLIM. HE WAS EXPELLED ONTO THE STREET WITH HIS WIFE,
DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, AND GRANDDAUGHTER. HIS SON LIVES IN
CHICAGO. THEY WANDERED FOR THREE DAYS, AND HID AT HIS
SISTER'S HOME. SHE WAS MARRIED TO A SERB. HE WAS BEATEN
AND LOST SEVERAL TEETH. (HE SHOWED THE BRUISES ON HIS
BACK.) HE BELIEVES ARKAN TROOPS CARRIED OUT THE
EXPULSIONS. ON THE FOURTH DAY, THEY LEARNED OF BUSES
BEING ORGANIZED TO TAKE MUSLIMS TO ABH-HELD TERRITORY.
THE FAMILY BOARDED ONE BUS. IN THE TOWN OF TESLIC, NEAR
THE CONFRONTATION LINE, THEY WERE FORCED TO GIVE UP THEIR
MONEY AND IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS. SOLDIERS SEARCHED
EVERYONE FOR MONEY, INCLUDING THE UNDERGARMENTS OF OLD
WOMEN. FIVE YOUNG MEN WERE TAKEN OFF THE BUS INTO THE
FOREST BY THE SOLDIERS. THE SUBJECT'S WIFE PAID DM 400
FOR HIS RETURN, YET THE SOLDIERS DID NOT RETURN HIM AS
THEY HAD PROMISED.
8. (U) THE GROUP WAS FORCED TO WALK SEVERAL KILOMETERS
IN THE NIGHT TOWARDS THE LINE. SOME PEOPLE WERE BEATEN
WHEN THEY GOT OFF THE BUS. SOLDIERS WEARING STOCKINGS
OVER THEIR HEADS BEAT THEM AGAIN NEAR A SMALL RIVER. WHEN
ASKED BY ONE SOLDIER HOW HE HAD RECEIVED HIS BRUISES, THE
SUBJECT REPLIED, "I FELL." THE SOLDIER SMIRKED AND SAID,
"THAT'S THE RIGHT ANSWER!" A DEAD BODY WAS LYING ON A LOG
IN THE STREAM. THE GROUP WAS FORCED TO CROSS SEVERAL
HUNDRED METERS OF THE RIVER BY FOOT. EVERYONE WAS WET UP
TO HIS CHEST. TWO ELDERLY WOMEN FROM THE BUS WERE UNABLE
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 04339 02 OF 05 311100Z
TO MOVE AND WERE LEFT BEHIND. HE LATER SAW SOLDIERS THROW
THEM INTO THE STREAM. THIS MAN ESTIMATED THAT BETWEEN
1000 AND 2000 MUSLIMS WERE LEFT BEHIND IN PRIJEDOR. --
INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #4 - N. C. (PROTECT)
--------------
9. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (ABOUT 70) AND HIS WIFE WERE
FORCED FROM THEIR APARTMENT IN PRIJEDOR O/A OCTOBER 6. HE
ALSO REPORTED WEARING WHITE ARMBANDS AS IDENTIFICATION.
HE SAID HE PAID MUCH MONEY TO BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE. THE
FAMILY HAD BEEN HARASSED MORE THAN USUAL BY SOLDIERS AND
NEIGHBORS FOR ONE MONTH. THEY WERE FORCED ONTO A BUS
BOUND FOR BANJA LUKA, ABOUT FORTY MILES AWAY. THIS BUS
STOPPED OVER 10 TIMES EN ROUTE AS SOLDIERS STOLE VALUABLES
AND MONEY. THIS MAN SAID THAT WHEN THEY EVENTUALLY
REACHED THE CONFRONTATION LINE, THEY WERE FORCED TO WALK
THROUGH AREAS MARKED AS MINE FIELDS.
-- INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #5 - A. P. (PROTECT)
--------------
10. (U) THIS DIVORCED MUSLIM WOMAN (30) LIVED WITH HER
PARENTS AND 14-YEAR-OLD SON IN BOSANSKA DUBICA. ON THE
NIGHT OF OCTOBER 10, AFTER MIDNIGHT, 5-6 SERB SOLDIERS
KNOCKED AT THE DOOR AND TOLD THE FAMILY THEY HAD ONE
MINUTE TO LEAVE. SHE TOOK TWO BAGS SHE HAD PREVIOUSLY
PACKED AND THE FAMILY WAS HERDED ONTO A TRUCK OUTSIDE.
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SHE HEARD NAMES BEING CALLED OUT AND OTHER NEIGHBORS WERE
FORCED ONTO THIS TRUCK. THE SERBS TOOK 150 PEOPLE TO A
CROWDED WAREHOUSE IN DUBICA WHERE THEY WERE LEFT UNTIL
MORNING. DURING THE NIGHT, HER FATHER WAS BEATEN WHEN HE
ASKED A SOLDIER FOR THE BATHROOM. INDIVIDUALS WERE CALLED
OUT OF THE ROOM. SHE WAS MADE TO STAND IN A CORNER WITH
OTHER WOMEN. LATER SHE WAS LED OUTSIDE, BEHIND THE
BUILDING WHERE THREE YOUNG SOLDIERS, AGE 19-20, EACH RAPED
HER. SHE DID NOT CALL OUT BECAUSE THEY THREATENED HER IF
SHE DID. THE SOLDIERS IN THE WHOLE COMPOUND IDENTIFIED
THEMSELVES TO EACH OTHER WITH NUMBERS, NOT CODE NAMES.
11. (U) IN THE MORNING, ANOTHER TRUCK CARRIED ALL 150
PEOPLE THROUGH BANJA LUKA TO ABH-HELD TERRITORY. THE RIDE
TOOK MANY HOURS AND NO ONE WAS GIVEN ANY FOOD OR WATER.
THE PEOPLE WERE PACKED LIKE SARDINES. SOME USED HANDBAGS
TO URINATE OR DEFECATE INTO. BEFORE THE RIVER CROSSING,
THE SOLDIERS ROBBED THEM OF MONEY AND VALUABLES. THE
SOLDIERS THREW OLD PEOPLE INTO THE RIVER IF THEY HAD NO
MONEY. SHE SAW THREE DEAD PEOPLE ALONG THE ROAD NEAR THE
RIVER. SHE ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 150 MUSLIMS WERE LEFT IN
DUBICA. -- INTERVIEWED BY POLOFF MARIC
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 ANHR-01 SRPP-00
EB-01 OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PRS-01 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PRM-10 PRME-01 PRMC-01
DRL-09 G-00 /032W
-------------- FB6D0D 311101Z /38
O 310956Z OCT 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7841
INFO NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
USLO SKOPJE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION GENEVA
NSC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
DIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 05 ZAGREB 004339
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 03 OF 05 311101Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #6 - I. G. (PROTECT)
--------------
12. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (58) WAS EXPELLED FROM HIS HOME
IN PRIJEDOR IN JANUARY, 1995. HE HAD STAYED WITH IN-LAWS
FOR MOST OF THE YEAR. HE WAS ON THE ICRC LIST OF PEOPLE
WHO WISH TO JOIN RELATIVES ABROAD. ON OCTOBER 4, HE WAS
FORCED BY SOLDIERS TO GO TO THE STADIUM IN PRIJEDOR, WHERE
HE WAITED WITH MANY OTHER MUSLIMS FOR A LONG TIME. CIVIL
POLICE PUT EVERYONE ON FIVE BUSES. THEY WERE DRIVEN TO A
PLACE NEAR TESLIC CALLED VUCE GLAVE, THEN FORCED TO WADE
ACROSS A WAIST-DEEP RIVER FOR OVER 300 METERS. THIS
CROSSING WAS MADE BETWEEN 2200 AND 0500. HE BELIEVES FOUR
WOMEN AND ONE MAN DROWNED IN THE RIVER. ALTHOUGH SOLDIERS
ROBBED THE PASSENGERS IN HIS BUS, NO ONE WAS TAKEN OFF.
HE NAMED DRAGAN DJEBRIC AS THE SERB WHO, WITH 5-6 OTHERS,
FORCED HIM AT GUNPOINT TO LEAVE HIS HOME IN JANUARY, AND
THEN MOVED IN. -- INTERVIEWED BY POLOFF MARIC.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #7 - V. Z. (PROTECT)
--------------
13. (U) THIS CROATIAN WOMAN (42) WAS A LAWYER FROM
PRIJEDOR. SHE LIVED WITH HER MOTHER IN AN APARTMENT IN
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 04339 03 OF 05 311101Z
TOWN. ON OCTOBER 7, THEY WERE ORDERED BY MILITARY POLICE
TO LEAVE THEIR HOME AND WERE HELD IN THE STADIUM. THEY
WERE LATER PUT ON BUSES BOUND FOR ABH-HELD TERRITORY.
SEVEN BUSES LEFT PRIJEDOR THAT DAY. SHE, TOO, HAD TO
CROSS A RIVER IN THE NIGHT TO REACH SAFE LAND.
-- INTERVIEWED BY POLOFF MARIC.
--------------
ZENICA INTERVIEW #8 - UNNAMED MAN
--------------
14. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (53 - WHO REFUSED TO GIVE HIS
NAME) AND HIS THREE YOUNG CHILDREN WERE FORCED FROM THEIR
HOME IN PRIJEDOR ON OCTOBER 9-10. HE TRAVELED TO THE
CONFRONTATION LINE IN A CONVOY OF 13 BUSES. BEFORE THE
CONVOY'S DEPARTURE, SOLDIERS TOOK DRAFT-AGE MEN OFF THE
BUSES. TWO WERE TAKEN FROM HIS BUS, ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT.
THROUGH THE WINDOW, HE ESTIMATED THAT 50 MEN WERE KEPT
BEHIND BY THE SERBS.
15. (U) HIS WIFE HAD BEEN IN THE BANJA LUKA MILITARY
JAIL SINCE MARCH. SHE HAD BEEN A LEADER IN THE MUSLIM RED
CROSS, MERHAMET, IN PRIJEDOR WHEN SHE AND OTHER MERHAMET
LEADERS WERE ARRESTED FOR ESPIONAGE BY THE SERBS. HE HAD
BEEN ABLE TO VISIT HER THREE TIMES IN JAIL, AND THEIR
CHILDREN HAD VISITED HER TWICE A MONTH. HE FEARED VERY
MUCH FOR HER SAFETY AND THAT OF THE OTHER TEN.
16. (U) HIS WIFE HAD TOLD THEM SECRETLY THAT THERE WAS
ANOTHER MAN HIDDEN IN THE JAIL SINCE EARLY 1992. HE WAS
V. S., (PROTECT) A CROATIAN ARMY PILOT CAPTURED IN
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DECEMBER, 1991 IN TURANJ, NEAR KARLOVAC. HE WAS A LONG-
TIME FRIEND OF BOTH. SIMUNAC HAD GONE TO MILITARY ACADEMY
WITH RATKO MLADIC. HE LIVED IN THE SMALL ROOM NEAR THE
BATHROOM, AND WAS MOVED FROM IT WHENEVER VISITORS ARRIVED.
THE MERHAMET LEADERS COMMUNICATED WITH HIM BY LEAVING
MESSAGES IN A SMALL HOLE IN THE BATHROOM. THE SUBJECT HAD
EVEN BROUGHT HIS WIFE CIGARETTES TO LEAVE FOR SIMUNAC.
THE MAN FEARED THAT IF THE SERBS LEARNED THAT THE OTHERS
HAD PASSED ON THE INFORMATION ABOUT SIMUNAC, THEY WOULD
KILL EVERYONE IN THE JAIL. WE HAVE PASSED ON THIS
INFORMATION TO ICRC HQ IN ZAGREB. -- INTERVIEWED BY
POLOFF MARIC.
--------------
KAKANJ INTERVIEW #1 - UNNAMED WOMAN
--------------
17. (U) THIS WOMAN (40) REFUSED TO GIVE HER NAME. SHE
WAS FORCED FROM BOSANSKI NOVI ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 11-
12, ABOUT 0100. HER ELDERLY FATHER WAS BEATEN UNCONSCIOUS
BY SOLDIERS. ARKAN SOLDIERS WEARING IDENTIFIABLE INSIGNIA
ENTERED THE HOUSE WEARING SKI MASKS. THEY FORCED EVERYONE
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 ANHR-01 SRPP-00
EB-01 OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PRS-01 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PRM-10 PRME-01 PRMC-01
DRL-09 G-00 /032W
-------------- FB6D16 311101Z /38
O 310956Z OCT 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7842
INFO NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
USLO SKOPJE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION GENEVA
NSC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
DIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 05 ZAGREB 004339
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 04 OF 05 311101Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
ONTO A BUS AND TOLD THEM THEY WERE GOING TO BE EXECUTED.
THEY WERE EVENTUALLY TAKEN TO A SMALL RIVER WHICH THEY HAD
TO CROSS ON FOOT ALTHOUGH THE WATER WAS CHEST-DEEP.
18. (U) SHE NAMED THE PRIJEDOR POLICE COMMANDER, SIMO
DRLJACA, AS ONE OF THE WORST OFFENDERS OF WAR CRIMES. HE
HAD SLIT THE THROATS OF MANY PEOPLE AND OUGHT TO BE
INDICTED. SHE TOLD OF THE RAPE OF A 76-YEAR-OLD MAN IN
PRIJEDOR LAST YEAR. THE SITUATION FOR CROATS WORSENED IN
PRIJEDOR AFTER THE SERBS LOST THE KRAJINA. SHE SAID SHE
HAD RECENTLY SEEN KARADZIC IN PRIJEDOR. SHE SAID HER
DAUGHTER HAD SEEN ARKAN IN PRIJEDOR BEATING PEOPLE AFTER
THE FALL OF SANSKI MOST TO THE ABH. SHE SAID "GOOD SERBS"
STILL EXISTED, AS SOME HAD HELPED HER THROUGHOUT THE THREE
YEAR PERIOD. -- INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
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KAKANJ INTERVIEW #2 - UNNAMED WOMAN
--------------
19. (U) THIS WOMAN (30) AND HER HUSBAND WERE EXPELLED
FROM THEIR HOMES IN PRIJEDOR OCTOBER 7. SHE WAS BEATEN BY
AN ARKAN SOLDIER. HER HUSBAND WAS TAKEN TO THE KERATERM
BRICK FACTORY, WHICH HAD BEEN MADE INTO A DETENTION CAMP
BY THE SERBS, AS THEY HAD DONE IN THE SUMMER OF 1992.
CONDITIONS AT THIS CAMP WERE TERRIBLE. HER HUSBAND AND
ALL THE OTHER MUSLIM MEN HAD BEEN IN FORCED LABOR FOR
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THREE YEARS. SHE WAS PUT ON A BUS AND TAKEN TO ABH
TERRITORY. ON THE BUS, SOLDIERS THREATENED HER. SHE
WATCHED AS SOLDIERS HELD KNIVES TO CHILDREN'S THROATS TO
FORCE THEIR MOTHERS TO TURN OVER MONEY AND VALUABLES. ONE
SERB WOMAN PRETENDED TO BE A REFUGEE IN ORDER TO LEARN
WHERE THE REFUGEES HAD HIDDEN THEIR MONEY. -- INTERVIEWED
BY A/S SHATTUCK.
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KAKANJ INTERVIEW #3 - UNNAMED MAN
--------------
20. (U) THIS MUSLIM MAN (60) SAID ARKAN SOLDIERS STARTED
TO ARRIVE IN PRIJEDOR IN MID-SEPTEMBER. HE HAD HEARD A
RUMOR THAT EACH SOLIDER HAD A QUOTA OF 80 MUSLIMS TO KILL.
HE WAS FORCED FROM HIS HOME WITH HIS WHEEL-CHAIR-BOUND
WIFE ON OCTOBER 7. HE HAD HEARD THAT THE SERBS HAD
INTERNED PEOPLE AT THE CEMENT FACTORY IN SANSKI MOST WHILE
THEY STILL HAD CONTROL OVER THAT TERRITORY.
-- INTERVIEWED BY A/S SHATTUCK.
--------------
KAKANJ INTERVIEW #4 - UNNAMED WOMAN
--------------
21. (U) THIS MUSLIM WOMAN (21) AND HER FAMILY OF FIVE
SISTERS, MOTHER, AND BROTHER (23) WERE FORCED FROM THEIR
HOME IN THE VILLAGE OF TOMINA TO SEHOVICA IN EARLY
OCTOBER. THESE ARE VILLAGES CLOSE TO SANSKI MOST. THE
WOMAN HEARD RUMORS OF 3500 PEOPLE DETAINED AT THE KERAMIKA
FACTORY IN SANSKI MOST. ARKAN SOLDIERS ROUNDED UP THE
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 04339 04 OF 05 311101Z
TOWN'S MUSLIMS AND SENT THEM TO SEHOVICA. AS THEY WALKED
TO SEHOVICA, SHE SAW FOUR DEAD CIVILIANS ON THE ROAD,
THREE WERE SHOT AND ONE HAD HER THROAT SLIT. THE WOMAN'S
FAMILY HID IN A RELATIVE'S SHED FOR EIGHT DAYS IN
SEHOVICA. THEY WERE DISCOVERED BY SOLDIERS AND PUT ONTO
BUSES. THEY HID THEIR BROTHER, AND DRESSED HIM AS A WOMAN
WITH A SCARF ON HIS HEAD. THE BUS DRIVER DISCOVERED HIM,
BUT ALLOWED THE SISTERS TO BRING HIM ON. THE BROTHER,
STILL DISGUISED, HID CRAMPED UNDER THE BUS SEAT FOR MANY
HOURS. THE WOMAN SAID THE BUS DROVE FROM SANSKI MOST TO
PRNJAVOR TO TESLIC. SOLDIERS DEMANDED MONEY AT SEVERAL
STOPS, INCLUDING PRIJEDOR, PRNJAVOR AND TESLIC. THE GROUP
WALKED ACROSS THE CONFRONTATION LINE AT THE RIVER
CROSSING. SHE NAMED TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE MISSING:
KARAMFIL MUSIC, (FATHER'S NAME REDJO, BORN 1965) AND
HAJRUDIN BEHAR (FATHER'S NAME HABIR, BORN 1968).
-- INTERVIEWED BY POLOFF MARIC.
22. (C) PROTECT THE FOLLOWING NAMES.
ZENICA 1: MARIMA PUSIC, MOTHER ZARFINA, HUSBAND EMIN,
DAUGHTER AZRA, SON IRIS.
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 ANHR-01 SRPP-00
EB-01 OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PRS-01 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PRM-10 PRME-01 PRMC-01
DRL-09 G-00 /032W
-------------- FB6D19 311101Z /38
O 310956Z OCT 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7843
INFO NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
USLO SKOPJE
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5PMA/J21//
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION GENEVA
NSC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
DIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 05 OF 05 ZAGREB 004339
SIPDIS
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 04339 05 OF 05 311101Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/05
TAGS:
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - NORTHWEST BOSNIA
ZENICA 2: HILMIJA CERIC, BROTHERS HAMDIJE AND HAMZALHIL.
ZENICA 3: MUHAREM KUSKOVIC
ZENICA 4: NURUDIN CORALIC
ZENICA 5: ADILA PARATUSIC
ZENICA 6: IBRAHIM GRECEVIC
ZENICA 7: VESNA ZEC
ZENICA 8: VLADO SIMUNAC, CROAT HELD CAPTIVE
23. SARAJEVO MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.
GALBRAITH
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1995ZAGREB04339 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
v1.6.2