First Bosnia Evidence in Milosevic Trial: Tudjman draws map of plans for divided Bosnia

On March 14, 2002, Prosecutor Geoffrey Nice introduced the first evidence against Slobodan Milosevic for crimes committed in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1 August 1991 to 31 December 1995. Lord Paddy Ashdown, at the ICTY primarily to provide evidence in the Kosovo phase of the indictment, first testified to a dinner conversation he had on 6 May 1995 with the late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. During that lengthy conversation, Tudjman drew a map on a menu which showed the former Yugoslavia split into two parts, one he identified as Greater Croatia, the other as Greater Serbia. When Lord Ashdown asked what areas on the map were allowed for Bosnia's Muslims, Tudjman said they had been incorporated into the territories of Croatia and Serbia. On his map, Bosnia no longer existed and there would be no areas for Muslims alone.

The map, a copy of which was produced in court, and Ashdown's testimony will be used at a later date in support of the prosecution's allegation that Milosevic was part of a joint criminal enterprise with the aim of expanding Serbian territory by ethnically cleansing parts of Bosnia. Though not stated, the map and Ashdown's testimony could support the much-reported meeting between Tudjman and Milosevic at Tito's hunting lodge when they allegedly agreed to carve up Bosnia between them.

Introducing the testimony now, during the Kosovo portion of the trial, illustrates one of the reasons the prosecution sought joinder of the Kosovo and Bosnia/Croatia indictments. It prevents certain witnesses from having to make multiple appearances before the Tribunal. On the other hand, it is disconcerting to hear evidence so much out of context. Nevertheless, this is one piece of evidence no one will have difficulty in recalling -- neither the prosecution, the judges or the accused.