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MILOSEVIC'S RUTHLESSNESS Over the winter recess, Milosevic must
have re-thought his abusive style of cross examination. With the
first witnesses of 2003, his questions were largely relevant and
less argumentative than before. Though he still could not resist
making occasional comments on the testimony, they were less
personally abusive. Lest anyone think he has turned over a new leaf,
however, they need only consider his first questions to the first
witness of 2003:
MILOSEVIC: "[In your statement] you ask for all necessary
measures to protect your identification . . . as you say your life
is in grave danger . . . . Do you still believe your life is in
grave danger in view of the fact that it has been 2 1/2 years since
your statement?" K-2: "Yes." MILOSEVIC: "Is the reason you believe
your life is in danger your statement to [OTP] investigators or the
fact that some people link you to the killing of Arkan [Zelko
Raznatovic]? Why is your life in danger?" K-2 (apparently unaware of
Milosevic's intention to expose his identity): "Now, for both
reasons."
Though lead prosecutor Geoffrey Nice interrupted to caution the
Court that Milosevic's questioning "may be a subtle way to identify
the witness publicly," the Court allowed Milosevic to continue.
MILOSEVIC: "Because you were involved in the murder of Arkan?"
K-2: "Yes."
It took several more questions about his current place of
residence and employment before the witness himself advised the
Court he could no longer answer publicly without revealing his
identity and the Court closed the proceedings.
While Milosevic may be conducting a more relevant cross
examination, his intentional attempt to expose K-2's identity to
those from whom he is in grave danger reveals that Milosevic
continues to play by his own rules. As his international
interlocutors learned, the smooth, sophisticated demeanor covers an
endemic ruthlessness. His whole history of achieving and holding
power attests to this.
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