Joe Lieberman: “I rise today to commend the authorities of Serbia for, at long last, handing over Slobodan Milosevic to the…”

“I rise today to commend the authorities of Serbia for, at long last, handing over Slobodan Milosevic to the International Criminal Tribunal. It is ironic, and perhaps fitting, that his arrest and transfer to the international court took place on June 28--one of the most noted dates in Serb history, when in 1389 the Serbs were defeated at the battle of Kosovo Polje, ushering in a period of Ottoman Turkish rule. It is my hope that future generations of Serbs will remember June 28, 2001 with the same sense of historic importance and as the beginning of true and long-lasting democracy and respect for the rule of law. Mr. Milosevic has been charged by an independent, impartial, international criminal tribunal with crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war against the ethnic Albanian population of Kosovo. And according to the Prosecutor of the Tribunal, we can expect more indictments against him for earlier crimes in Croatia and Bosnia. His extradition to the Hague is historic, if long overdue. As a former head of state, there were many who believed that he would never be made to answer for the charges against him. That this day finally came underscores the commitment of the international community to investigating and prosecuting individuals for war crimes. And it sets an important precedent in international law; namely, that the Geneva Conventions and their Protocols will be upheld and enforced regardless of one's position or influence.”