August 17, 2006
U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman

Statement by Gonzalo R. Gallegos, Acting Spokesman

Response to Allegations of Atrocities in the Former Yugoslavia Depicted in “Operation Storm” Video

The United States condemns all war crimes committed during the wars in the former Yugoslavia, regardless of the ethnic or religious identity of the victim or perpetrator. We welcome the fact that the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia are cooperating on an investigation into the acts depicted in the recently aired video footage allegedly from Operation Storm, and we encourage them to complete their work as rapidly as possible.

Atrocities were committed by all sides of the conflicts with varying levels of planning and organization, and we condemn any attempts to exploit these tragedies for political advantage. We continue to urge the governments in the region to investigate all allegations of war crimes, to prosecute those responsible, and to cooperate with other regional governments to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. We will continue to support efforts to accomplish these goals made by governments, NGO’s, and the many others in the region and beyond committed to advancing the rule of law. Holding individuals accountable for these crimes, and moving beyond collectivization of guilt of entire groups, is vital to ensuring stability, security and reconciliation in the region.

17. avgust, 2006
Stejt Dipartment
Kancelarija portparola

Izjava Gonzalo R. Galegosa, portparola

Reakcija na navode o počinjenim zločinima u bivšoj Jugoslaviji prikazanim u video snimcima o "Operaciji Oluja"

Sjedinjene Države osuđuju sve ratne zločine počinjene tokom ratova na teritoriji bivše Jugoslavije, bez obzira na etničku ili versku pripadnost žrtava ili počinioca zločina. Mi pozdravljamo činjenicu da vlasti Bosne i Hercegovine, Hrvatske i Srbije sarađuju u istrazi povodom dela nedavno prikazanih u video materijalu, navodno snimljenim tokom akcije Oluja, i mi ih pozivamo da završe ovaj posao u najkraćem roku.

Svirepe zločine počinile su sve strane u konfliktima sa različitim stepenom planiranja i organizacije i mi osuđujujemo sve pokušaje zloupotrebe ovih tragičnih događaja u političke svrhe. Mi nastavljamo da pozivamo vlade u regionu da istraže sve navode o počinjenim ratnim zločinima, da krivično procesuiraju odgovorne i da sarađuju sa drugim vladama u regionu kako bi se počinioci zločina priveli pravdi. Mi nastavljamo da podržavamo napore koje čine vlade, nevladine organizacije (NVO) i mnogu drugi u regionu i šire na unapređenju vladavine zakona. Pozivanje pojedinaca na odgovornost za počinjene zločine i odustajanje od koncepta kolektivne odgovornosti su ključni uslovi za obezbeđivanje stabilnostu, bezbednosti i pomirenja u regionu.

back to top ^