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Presenting his findings and opinion, Christian Nielsen said that the plan contained four different ways for the decentralisation, including a separation of the Serb part and division into separate units.
In his report Nielsen analysed the structure of Republika Srpska MUP, including the reasons for which the Bosnian Serbs leaders decided to establish it.
“The Serbs were increasingly dissatisfied because they thought that the negotiations about the division of functions went against their interests. They started thinking how to solve the problem, first of all, through the decentralisation of police,” the expert witness said.
He quoted the indictee’s words that, unless the negotiations functioned well, Bosnian Serbs would form a parallel state and parallel police forces.
The indictment alleges that Karadzic, former President of RS, with genocide, crimes against humanity and the violation of the laws and customs of war.
The expert witness said that, following the elections in 1990, the national parties reached an agreement on division of MUP functions, adding that, at times the related negotiations were very complicated and marked by disagreement.
“Vitomir Zepinic was Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs. He led the negotiations, but Karadzic became increasingly dissatisfied with the way he conducted the negotiations. Hence, Momcilo Mandic, one of the Assistant Ministers, replaced him more and more often,” Nielsen said.
In February last year the Appellate Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina acquitted Mandic of responsibility for war crimes against civilians and crimes against humanity.
The expert witness mentioned a few intercepted conversations, pointing out that Karadzic mentioned “a dramatic option” in case “Muslims and Croats continue obstructing the appointment of Serb representatives”.
“This is an example of micro-management by SDS in relation to appointment of Serbs to certain positions. Dr. Karadzic demonstrated an enviable level of attention to details…During the conversation it was said that the Party’s determination would be implemented,” Nielsen said.
The trial is due to continue with the examination of expert witness Nielsen on Thursday, July 7.
M.T.
