Page 2793
1 Wednesday, 16 June 2010
2 [Open session]
3 [The accused entered court]
4 --- Upon commencing at 9.02 a.m.
5 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Good morning to everybody in the courtroom. Good
6 morning.
7 At the outset of today's hearing, the Chamber would like to raise
8 three procedural matters. The first is related to replacement of draft
9 transcripts again.
10 The Chamber wishes to clarify its previous oral order of the
11 3rd of May concerning the replacement of draft transcripts headed:
12 "Not Official; Not Corrected." Although the draft transcripts specified
13 for replacement in the previous order were the public versions, the
14 Chamber considers that it is in the interests of justice to have all
15 draft transcripts, whether public or confidential, replaced by the
16 official, corrected versions. This means that, in addition to those
17 transcripts specified in our previous order, the Prosecution should
18 liaise with the Registry to also replace the following confidential draft
19 transcripts with the official versions: P1, P8, P20, P48, P59, P68, P96,
20 and P101, and any other draft transcripts that are subsequently
21 identified.
22 Furthermore, the Chamber notes that in the future, draft
23 transcripts tendered into evidence will only be provisionally admitted
24 and marked for identification, pending replacement by the official
25 versions.
Page 2794
1 The second matter is related to tendered materials.
2 The Chamber takes this opportunity to remind the parties that
3 pursuant to the 24th of February, 2010, order on presentation of evidence
4 and as explained in the trial management meeting held on the 5th of March
5 this year, this is an e-court trial. As such, the documents in e-court
6 comprise the official evidentiary record of the proceedings. Therefore,
7 a party tendering a document into evidence should make every effort to
8 ensure that the document is up-loaded and released in e-court as of the
9 date of tendering. This is the date a party moves on the record for
10 admission of a document into evidence, whether done orally in court or
11 filed in a written submission.
12 Furthermore, as of the date of tendering, the parties shall not
13 modify the tendered document without leave of the Chamber. The
14 exceptions to this rule occur in the very limited circumstances when the
15 Chamber has admitted an exhibit pending the attachment of a translation,
16 or ordered the parties to replace draft transcripts with the official
17 versions. In these instances, leave of the Chamber has already been
18 granted for the tendering party to liaise with the Registry to modify the
19 tendered documents. All other modifications of tendered documents must
20 be approved by the Chamber.
21 The third matter is related to today's witness. And before the
22 witness is brought in, the Chamber would like to note one procedural
23 matter concerning this witness.
24 Yesterday, the Chamber orally and partially granted the
25 Prosecution's motion filed on the 26th of April, in which it requested to
Page 2795
1 convert the next witness, Danko Gojkovic, from a 92 bis witness to a
2 92 ter witness. In this regard, the Chamber notes that in the
3 Prosecution's notification on its witnesses scheduled for this week,
4 filed last Friday, the 11th of June, Gojkovic was listed simply as a
5 92 ter witness, without indicating that his evidence was still subject to
6 a decision on the motion. Just before the end of the session yesterday,
7 the Prosecution notified that the status of Gojkovic's evidence was still
8 pending. In the Chamber's view, such a last-minute notice is not
9 preferable and could be unfair, even though the accused did not oppose
10 the Prosecution's request in this particular instance. In addition, the
11 Chamber noticed that Witness Gojkovic is not included in the
12 Prosecution's list of witnesses scheduled for this month.
13 Therefore, the Chamber encourages that in the future, a timely
14 notification be made so that the Chamber could issue a decision
15 appropriately and expeditiously.
16 These were some guide-lines, and now the witness should be
17 brought in.
18 [The witness entered court]
19 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Good morning, sir.
20 Would you please read aloud the affirmation on the card which is
21 shown to you now.
22 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] I solemnly declare that I will
23 speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
24 WITNESS: DANKO GOJKOVIC
25 [The witness answered through interpreter]
Page 2796
1 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you very much. Please sit down.
2 Mr. McCloskey, for the Prosecution, has some questions for you.
3 Mr. McCloskey.
4 MR. McCLOSKEY: Thank you, Mr. President.
5 Good morning, everyone.
6 Examination by Mr. McCloskey:
7 Q. Can you first, Witness, please state your name for the record?
8 A. My name is Danko Gojkovic.
9 Q. And can you spell the last name so we get it right?
10 A. G-O-J-K-O-V-I-C.
11 Q. Okay. Yesterday, did you get a chance, in our offices, to listen
12 to your testimony in the Popovic case that you gave in April and
13 May of 2007?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. And did you find it to be correct and truthful or did you want to
16 change anything in it?
17 A. To the best of my recollection, because it was three years ago,
18 so I think that's it.
19 Q. Okay. And also did you have a chance to read your interview with
20 the OTP that you did on 16 May 2006?
21 A. Yes.
22 Q. And as far as you could recall, was it also correct and truthful?
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. And if you were asked the same questions that you were asked in
25 those -- in the interview and in your testimony, would your answers be
Page 2797
1 the same?
2 A. Yes.
3 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey, there is a small problem. We
4 always hear the typing of Ms. Stewart because your microphone is still on
5 all the time. Perhaps you can move a little bit. Thank you very much.
6 That is very helpful, especially for the interpreters.
7 Please carry on.
8 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. It's been a
9 while since we've been in this courtroom, but we'll get our bearings,
10 though the closer I am to Ms. Stewart, the better I feel about my
11 numbers.
12 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I understand that. But especially if you switch
13 off your microphone when putting a question to the witness, it would
14 be -- yes, disconnect the noise.
15 MR. McCLOSKEY: All right.
16 At this point, I would like to offer the previous testimony into
17 evidence, and it is number P496.
18 JUDGE FLUEGGE: It will be received.
19 MR. McCLOSKEY: And, Mr. President, you should have a list of
20 documents, all of which came in through this witness in his testimony in
21 the Popovic case, so they fit that particular category. However, some of
22 those documents were mentioned in Tomasz Blaszczyk's direct testimony in
23 this case when he was talking about the Drina Corps collection, because
24 these documents are also from the Drina Corps collection, and so you
25 will -- I think you should see on your list, in bold on the left side,
Page 2798
1 those numbers that were previously given to some of Mr. Gojkovic's
2 documents because they were discussed, in part, by Mr. Blaszczyk. So
3 that should clarify that.
4 And one other clarification. I noted, in reviewing the testimony
5 and when I moved this material into evidence in Popovic, I had stated
6 that the witness had talked about each of the documents in this large
7 packet. And when I reviewed each of the documents now, I noticed that
8 the first three or four documents in the packet, he did not actually
9 speak of in his previous interview, but I just wanted to clarify that. I
10 still think all these documents should come in because they were part of
11 this packet that was found separately in the Drina Corps collection. And
12 given that it appears there is a challenge on some important documents,
13 I think it's important that the Court has the entire packet so that they
14 can look at it as a whole. And so that said, I would offer that packet
15 of documents in their entirety as they came in in the Popovic case, and
16 all their numbers you should have now that were assigned by the Registry.
17 And I'm at --
18 JUDGE FLUEGGE: If I understood you correctly, you are referring
19 to the numbers P468 through P495.
20 MR. McCLOSKEY: That's correct. And we already see that there
21 is -- the Blaszczyk documents were P122, 128, 123, 124, 129 and 125.
22 JUDGE FLUEGGE: That's correct, and these documents will be
23 received. And I hope they all have a translation.
24 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes, they do, although I noticed a few glitches
25 here and there in some of the translations; nothing major. Some of them,
Page 2799
1 I will be able to fix, and we'll be notifying the Court of anything
2 serious.
3 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I was told by the Registry they all have an
4 attached translation.
5 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes, they do. And I'm told that the Popovic
6 transcript is the proper revised, full transcript, so we should be in
7 good shape.
8 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you very much.
9 Please carry on.
10 MR. McCLOSKEY: Now, Witness, I will read a brief summary of your
11 evidence.
12 Mr. Danko Gojkovic was born in June 1967 in Rogatica, Bosnia and
13 Herzegovina.
14 He performed his mandatory military service in 1985 in the JNA in
15 the Communications Section. He was mobilised in April 1992 and worked as
16 a signalsman in the Command of the 1st Podrinje Light Infantry Brigade,
17 known informally as the Rogatica Brigade.
18 In July 1995, Gojkovic was working as a teleprinter operator in
19 the Communications Platoon of the Rogatica Brigade. At the time, he
20 worked with other teleprinter operators, including an older man he knew
21 by the name of Ziza.
22 Gojkovic described his duties and the system of receiving and
23 transmitting encrypted communications between his unit and other VRS
24 units.
25 As a teleprinter operator, Gojkovic would be brought various
Page 2800
1 documents or telegrams, either typed or handwritten or received orally
2 over the telephone, and he would type them into the teleprinter and then
3 transmit them in an encrypted form to the appropriate location. After he
4 typed a message into the teleprinter, he would sign and date either the
5 original message or the typewritten version that came out of the
6 teleprinter and send it back to the command.
7 He also received documents sent to the Rogatica Brigade over the
8 teleprinter. When Gojkovic received a document addressed to the
9 Rogatica Brigade Command on the teleprinter, he would write on the top of
10 the document the time and date when it was received and then sign it. He
11 or another person would then deliver it to the Rogatica Brigade Command.
12 Gojkovic also described the process of coding and decoding
13 transmissions and how couriers and other forms of communications were
14 employed to transmit information and orders up and down the chain of
15 command.
16 In his interview with the OTP on 16 May 2006, Gojkovic was shown
17 a package of documents related to the Rogatica Brigade Command that was
18 found in the Drina Corps collection. Gojkovic commented upon whether or
19 not he recognised his initials or signatures on these documents.
20 Gojkovic did not know or recall anything regarding the substance of these
21 documents, but did identify his initials and those of some others. These
22 documents included reports sent to General Tolimir at the Rogatica
23 Command in July 1995 and included reports authored by General Tolimir and
24 sent out from the Rogatica Command in July 1995.
25 Among the documents he was shown was document ERN 0525-8580,
Page 2801
1 dated 13 July 1995, under the name of Lieutenant-Colonel Milomir Savcic
2 and noted to have been from the IKM of the 65th Protection Regiment at
3 Borike, sent to the commander of the VRS Main Staff. The document was
4 titled "Procedure for the treatment of prisoners of war." Gojkovic
5 confirmed that he typed the document into the teleprinter and sent it.
6 He identified his handwriting at the bottom of the page of the document,
7 indicating the dispatch time of 1510 hours and the date of 13 July 1995
8 and his signature. Gojkovic could not recall whether he was given this
9 document by a courier or over the telephone.
10 Gojkovic stated that there was no teleprinter connection between
11 his office at the Rogatica Command and the forward command post at
12 Borike. However, there was a telephone communication between his office
13 and Borike. Gojkovic also stated that the Borike IKM did not have a
14 teleprinter, meaning that the Borike IKM would not have sent any
15 documents via teleprinter directly from the Borike IKM.
16 And that concludes my summary.
17 Q. Mr. Gojkovic, did you, in listening to that, find any mistakes I
18 made?
19 A. You did not make any mistakes.
20 Q. I'm sorry, I didn't get a translation because I didn't have it on
21 the right channel. Could you -- I'll just read that. Pardon me.
22 Okay. Now, just to clarify, as a teleprinter operator, can you
23 just describe to us what a teleprinter machine is, just in the most basic
24 terms? We're familiar with fax machines, most of us remember old
25 typewriters, but can you describe to us, just in the simplest terms, so
Page 2802
1 we can visualise what this machine is that you're operating?
2 A. A teleprinter is like an electronic typewriter. It sends and
3 receives telegrams, and that the keyboard is the same like on a computer,
4 except it's -- I don't know how to else to explain it. Only if we --
5 Q. Now, that's fine. And I'll go over four documents with you, and
6 we can help explain it that way as well.
7 And so if we could go to the first document, and this would be
8 P490.
9 And let me ask you, do you remember the substance or information
10 in any of these documents where you identified your signature and that of
11 others?
12 A. No.
13 MR. McCLOSKEY: All right. In that event, Your Honours, while
14 the substance may be of interest, I will be concentrating with this
15 witness on the B/C/S version, where he'll be identifying various things.
16 Q. And so if you could look at what's on the screen now.
17 MR. McCLOSKEY: And could we bring the B/C/S version a bit down
18 so we can get -- I'm sorry, the other direction. Thank you.
19 Q. Now, can you tell us what this document is? We see that it's
20 a -- you know, it's a printed document in all caps, mostly, with some
21 handwriting on it. What is this, just -- does this have anything to do
22 with the teleprinter?
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. And was this document received or sent by you?
25 A. I sent it.
Page 2803
1 Q. And how do you know that?
2 A. In the top right corner, it's written "2315 of 15 July 1995," and
3 my signature.
4 Q. And what does that mean, that time, date, and your signature, in
5 relation to this document?
6 A. It's the time when the telegram was received at the corps, and
7 they confirmed receipt.
8 Q. Well, and you say "the corps." How do you know it was received
9 at the corps and not -- we also see it's addressed to the GS VRS, the
10 Main Staff.
11 A. On the other side, there is also a teleprinter operator, and he
12 typed back that he received the telegram. That's the only connection I
13 have with the corps. I worked everything -- I worked -- I did all of my
14 work for them.
15 Q. I understand that. Is there any way that you can tell from your
16 notes that you actually received word back from the corps, as opposed to
17 one of the other addressees on the document?
18 A. No, there isn't anything. I got it on a piece of paper, typed on
19 the teleprinter, and I wrote down the time on the telegram.
20 Q. Okay. And can you -- did you originally get this document and
21 type it into the teleprinter to send it off to the addressees?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. And this particular document that we're looking at, since it has
24 your signature on it, where did it actually come from? After you typed
25 the document -- a document into the teleprinter, where does this document
Page 2804
1 come from? Is this the original document you were given or is this a
2 document that came out of the teleprinter?
3 A. This was typed into the teleprinter.
4 MR. McCLOSKEY: Well, if we could go to the bottom of the
5 document.
6 Q. Now, we can see, from the bottom of the document, that it was
7 from Rajko Kusic and M. Savcic, but there is no -- there is no signature.
8 So is it possible, like it is with a fax machine, to send a signature
9 over a teleprinter?
10 A. You cannot send a signature like that. Everything that's written
11 on the piece of paper I typed into the teleprinter, but you cannot
12 actually transmit a signature.
13 Q. When you get an important document like this document, would it
14 normally have a signature on it before you actually typed the document
15 into the teleprinter to send it?
16 A. No, it didn't need to have a signature. I really cannot remember
17 whether it was supposed to have one or not, but for the most part there
18 was no signature.
19 Q. All right. Let's go to another document, P123.
20 And while we are waiting for that to come up, when you were shown
21 these documents in the interview, were you shown the actual originals
22 with actual inked signatures on your part; do you recall?
23 A. I don't remember, I don't remember.
24 Q. We have those originals here, if you would like to -- if you
25 think you need to consult them at all.
Page 2805
1 MR. McCLOSKEY: And, Your Honours, we have those, if you think
2 that is necessary at any point.
3 Q. All right. And now, looking at this document, we see in the
4 English up on the right, and we see in the Serbian up in the right, it
5 looks like handwritten Cyrillic, and in the English it says "Ziza." Who
6 or what is Ziza; can you tell us?
7 A. He was also a teleprinter operator when I worked there.
8 Actually, he was the one who trained me. He was an older man, but I
9 cannot really tell you until when he was there.
10 Q. Do you recall telling us in the interview that you thought that
11 he had left before you or that you had replaced him during this
12 time-period?
13 A. I do, but I made a mistake. He was there, and he left -- perhaps
14 if we had more of these telegrams, then we could see exactly when he
15 left, but I really don't remember.
16 Q. In my office yesterday, were you shown the packet of telegrams,
17 where you had a chance to look at the telegrams from July and see Ziza's
18 name on some of them?
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. And I mentioned a name of a person yesterday to you. I asked you
21 if the name Desimir Zizovic sounded at all familiar. And can you tell us
22 whether it does?
23 A. Yes, it does.
24 Q. And is that -- does that have any relation to the Ziza you've
25 been talking about?
Page 2806
1 A. Yes.
2 Q. All right. And now looking at the -- let's look at the bottom of
3 this document. We see "Ziza" written in -- at the right-hand corner on
4 the top, and at the bottom of the B/C/S -- I think we need to go to the
5 next page of the English -- sorry, and the third page of the English to
6 get the end of the document. We see there, down at the bottom, the
7 initials "DZ." It's actually typed in. Can you tell us who that is?
8 A. I couldn't really say, but I think these are Ziza's initials,
9 "DZ."
10 Q. Would it be normal for the teleprinter operator to put their
11 initials at the bottom of the teleprinted document like this?
12 A. No. Actually, if I remember correctly, I think it was not
13 allowed. I'm not sure.
14 Q. All right. And we see, in the Serbian version, it says
15 "Predato," it looks like, and then an hour. Can you just read that to
16 us, what you see, "Predato," and what you think that says?
17 A. "Received" or "Handed in" at 950 hours.
18 Q. I don't know how well you remember the handwriting. Is it
19 possible that "00,50," that's just what the translator saw, but you're
20 the best person to be able to give us guidance. Can you -- do you have
21 an opinion on which way that would be?
22 A. Perhaps it is "0050." I'm not sure.
23 Q. Okay. Let's go to the next --
24 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Before you leave this page, I would just like to
25 indicate, for the record, in the B/C/S version it's "D.ZZ." Perhaps you
Page 2807
1 could clarify why this is a double Z in comparison to the English
2 version.
3 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes, Mr. President.
4 Q. If you could focus on again those letters that we see, "D.ZZ."
5 Do you have -- can you help explain to us why there would be two Zs if
6 this was what you thought it was, Ziza's initials?
7 A. I don't know why there is a double Z. I am not sure. Perhaps
8 that's how he signed himself. I don't know why there are two letters Z.
9 Q. Can you think of any other reason, not related to Ziza, why there
10 would be letters like this, some other related reasons in identifying the
11 document, or the machine, or just some reason not related to teleprinter
12 operator?
13 A. If I remember correctly, there was no letter "Zh" on the
14 teleprinter, so I don't know why he put a double Z.
15 Q. And the letter "Zh" has a diacritic indicating the sound "Zh," is
16 that correct, and that's not on the teleprinter?
17 A. That is true, it did not have that letter.
18 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Judge Mindua has a question.
19 JUDGE MINDUA: [Interpretation] A small question.
20 Witness, is there a reason to think that this word
21 "Predato 00,50" -- or could it be "0950"? Is there a reason that it
22 should be one or the other? Because in English, what is translated is
23 "0050," without a comma and without a "9."
24 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] I'm sorry, I didn't understand the
25 question. Could you please repeat it?
Page 2808
1 JUDGE MINDUA: [Interpretation] I'll start again.
2 On the bottom of the B/C/S page, it says, handwritten "Predato,"
3 and the translation we have in the English text is "Handwritten/0050
4 hrs," "hours." I'm wondering the following: Could it be "00,50," as
5 Mr. McCloskey seems to think or said, or "0950," 9 hours 50 minutes
6 instead of 0 hours and 50 minutes?
7 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] I don't really know if it's "0050"
8 or "0950." I really cannot tell, either, whether it's a "0," or a "9."
9 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey.
10 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes. Mr. President, I think it would be helpful
11 if the Trial Chamber and the witness were able to see this and make your
12 own judgement. It's one of those judgement calls, I think.
13 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I think that would be helpful.
14 [Trial Chamber confers]
15 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Perhaps first for Mr. Tolimir and Mr. Gajic, and
16 then to the witness.
17 Please show it to the witness now.
18 Mr. McCloskey.
19 MR. McCLOSKEY:
20 Q. Mr. Gojkovic, can you give us your best opinion on what you think
21 that says?
22 A. I'm not sure that I'm able to answer this question. It could be
23 "0050" or "0950." I really don't know.
24 MR. McCLOSKEY: All right. Thank you for that. And I would
25 note, for the record, that we can see that the English translation, while
Page 2809
1 it got the time, it did not get "Predato," but I think the witness has
2 clarified what that means, and I think it would be a good idea if we sent
3 that to be revised so that they do get that in the record, so we don't
4 have to go back to the transcript to figure it out, or a dictionary.
5 JUDGE FLUEGGE: And then the document could be given back to the
6 Prosecution.
7 MR. McCLOSKEY: All right. Now can we go to P49 [sic] and take a
8 look at that for a moment. P491.
9 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir.
10 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] In order to avoid an error in the
11 transcript, the following document actually says when it was transmitted,
12 so my assistant can show you the document and give you the ERN number so
13 you can establish, on the basis of that time, the time of this document.
14 Thank you.
15 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Is that something to be dealt with in
16 cross-examination or would it be helpful, for your line of questions,
17 that Mr. Gajic is given the ERN number?
18 MR. McCLOSKEY: Mr. President, I -- there's many ways to figure
19 out times and orders. You can look at the numbers. Other documents are
20 numbered afterwards, so there are very many interesting and investigative
21 ways of sorting this out. The General is absolutely correct. I have no
22 problem with them showing that to us, but it may be better on cross. I'm
23 not sure what he means, but if it's something you want to sort out right
24 now, that's fine as well; either way. These are just meant to be a few
25 examples of the kind of documents he's marking, but they will be, of
Page 2810
1 course, the subject of analysis of other witnesses, expert witnesses and
2 other folks. But anything we can resolve, the sooner the better, in my
3 view, but I think he's got a better handle on that right now than I do.
4 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I was only wondering if it would disturb your
5 line of questions.
6 Mr. Gajic, please do what Mr. Tolimir was suggesting.
7 MR. GAJIC: [Interpretation] Yes, of course, Your Honour.
8 I would just like to say that we can establish whether it says
9 "0050" here or "0950" here. We can look at Exhibit --
10 THE INTERPRETER: Could the counsel kindly be asked to repeat the
11 exhibit number.
12 MR. GAJIC: [Interpretation] And we will see the manner in which
13 Ziza wrote the dates in the document, the date and the time.
14 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I think, Mr. Gajic, you are the champion in the
15 speed of speaking. The interpreters didn't catch your -- the number you
16 have given. Please repeat.
17 MR. GAJIC: [Interpretation] Perhaps we could look at
18 Exhibit P489, since in this document, at the lower right-hand corner, the
19 time is indicated, and it is very probable that this marking was entered
20 by Ziza again.
21 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you very much.
22 We should have it on the screen, and we can then put a question
23 to the witness on that. Thank you.
24 Mr. McCloskey.
25 MR. McCLOSKEY: I don't see how that's very helpful. It is
Page 2811
1 another Ziza document, and we agree with that. It's part of the material
2 we're offering into evidence. I can ask the witness.
3 Q. Witness, do you see Ziza having done something on this document?
4 A. Yes.
5 Q. And would he have -- do you know who would have written "Predato"
6 and the time in the bottom right-hand corner?
7 A. I think that it is Ziza, because also there is his signature in
8 the upper right-hand corner. So it's probably him. I don't know who
9 else it could be.
10 Q. And in looking at the way he wrote his numbers for the time, does
11 that help you sort out what the time in the previous document might have
12 been?
13 A. No. You can see clearly the numbers, and there it's --
14 Q. Okay. Perhaps let me ask you one thing about this document. It
15 may or may not be helpful, but looking in the left-hand corner, where you
16 see the abbreviation for "Strictly Confidential," "number 04-520-58/95,"
17 what is that?
18 A. The number of the telegram, most probably, and that before it
19 came to the teleprinter, it was probably logged into some kind of record
20 or log-book. I really cannot remember now.
21 Q. Would such a number be sequential, meaning would it change each
22 time another document came in, in the order that the documents either
23 came in or were sent out?
24 A. Yes, I do think it changed with each following dispatch.
25 MR. McCLOSKEY: All right. If we could go to --
Page 2812
1 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Could we please go to the bottom again of both
2 versions. And I think in English, the next page.
3 In B/C/S, we see the date, 17th July, and then the time, "0120,"
4 without a comma in between. Witness, what was usual, if you write a
5 time, to put a comma between the hour and the minutes or not?
6 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] Well, it just depends on the way
7 people would usually enter such information. I would put a colon,
8 somebody would put a comma, somebody would put a dash. It depends. I
9 really cannot remember.
10 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you.
11 Mr. McCloskey.
12 MR. McCLOSKEY: Staying on this issue, could we go to 492. And
13 if I could hand the Court the original, and, of course, for the General
14 and for the witness. And if we could put that up on the screen as well,
15 of course.
16 JUDGE FLUEGGE: It should be shown to the accused and Mr. Gajic,
17 and then to the witness, and then back to Mr. McCloskey.
18 We saw the original document and saw there was a comma included.
19 That's all what we can see from that document.
20 And if you can scroll down or go to the last page. Thank you.
21 And the same in English, please, last page.
22 MR. McCLOSKEY:
23 Q. And, Mr. Gojkovic, if we could just get your opinion on what time
24 you believe this is, based on your experience, having worked there?
25 A. In this telegram, "0100." "0100," 1.00.
Page 2813
1 Q. And can you see which teleprinter operator did that?
2 JUDGE FLUEGGE: The document disappeared from the screen.
3 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] In the right upper corner, again it
4 says "Ziza."
5 MR. McCLOSKEY: Can we go to the first page of the English to see
6 if -- make sure the translation caught that. Yes, I see it did.
7 Q. And so in your view, looking at that number down at the bottom,
8 is that a comma, in your view?
9 A. I think it is.
10 MR. McCLOSKEY: Okay. Let's go to 492, if we could, please. I'm
11 sorry, let's go to 491, which is part of my regularly scheduled,
12 second-to-last document.
13 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Judge Nyambe has a question for the witness.
14 JUDGE NYAMBE: I have a question for Mr. McCloskey.
15 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes.
16 JUDGE NYAMBE: Is Ziza available to you as a witness?
17 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes, he is, Your Honour, and we have interviewed
18 him and he should be available. He's not on our witness list, but as we
19 see what is contested and what issues there are, we were thinking that
20 that might be a good idea, but we're not absolutely sure yet because
21 we're not sure how many of the documents there will be a contest to.
22 But, yes, he is available, as far as I know.
23 JUDGE NYAMBE: Thank you.
24 MR. McCLOSKEY:
25 Q. All right. Looking at this document, do you see your handwriting
Page 2814
1 on it anywhere?
2 A. In the right top corner, my signature and my handwriting.
3 Q. And so were you the person that wrote "Sent at 1820 hours on
4 13 July," and then signed your name?
5 A. Yes, yes.
6 MR. McCLOSKEY: All right. And let's go to the bottom of the
7 document, page 3 in the English.
8 Q. And we see -- can you look at the letters "G.D." down at the
9 bottom left corner, and tell us what you think that is.
10 A. My initials.
11 Q. So that would be "Gojkovic, Danko," I take it.
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. And is starting with the last name first a customary way of
14 putting one's initials sometimes in the former Yugoslavia, like this?
15 A. I don't know. I typed "G.D." It could have been also "D.G."
16 Q. And what kind of a machine was this document created from?
17 A. You mean the document I'm looking at?
18 Q. Yes.
19 A. The teleprinter.
20 Q. And how can you tell that?
21 A. I think it was typed on a teleprinter. It's typed as a telegram.
22 I believe it's a teleprinter.
23 Q. And we noticed there is no handwritten signature at the bottom,
24 and can you explain why that is?
25 A. It was at the top of the telegram. You could write it at the top
Page 2815
1 or at the bottom. It didn't matter. What was important was that there
2 was a signature.
3 MR. McCLOSKEY: Could we have the witness look at this -- the
4 original of this?
5 Q. Does this sort of long, narrow shape and the paper help you sort
6 out what kind of machine this came from?
7 A. It doesn't help me. I don't know what type it is. There were
8 two types of teleprinters. I really can't say which one it is. I'm
9 afraid to make a mistake.
10 Q. I don't need to know which actual type of teleprinter, but can
11 you conclude it is a teleprinter, as opposed to a typewriter, or a fax,
12 or something else?
13 A. This is certainly a teleprinter paper.
14 Q. Did you ever use a fax machine in your work in 1995?
15 A. Not that I remember.
16 Q. All right. Can you -- is this a document that you did?
17 A. I only typed it and transmitted it. I didn't create the
18 document. Somebody brought it to me. I retyped it and sent it where it
19 needed to be sent.
20 Q. So this is a machine -- this document came out of the teleprinter
21 machine at the Rogatica Brigade after you typed it in; correct?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. Do you know, what would you have done with the original document
24 that you used to create this? For example, if General Tolimir brought
25 you something either handwritten or typewritten, what would you have done
Page 2816
1 with that original that was brought to you by him or his subordinates or
2 couriers?
3 A. I would return it to the command.
4 MR. McCLOSKEY: All right, thank you. Hold on to that document
5 for one second.
6 Let's go to the last document, and I want to give you the
7 original of that, and that is P125. This was the document that was the
8 subject of the 92 ter and my summary, so I -- but it is a rather
9 important document. And if we could show the original to the witness.
10 And I don't know if the General or Mr. Gajic wants to see it first.
11 They're, of course, welcome to.
12 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Please give it first to Mr. Tolimir and
13 Mr. Gajic.
14 MR. McCLOSKEY:
15 Q. Okay. And if you could just study that for a minute. Again, I'm
16 not interested in the substance of this document, but could you just hold
17 both documents up so that we can get a good look at them, one in one hand
18 and one in the other? I just want to get an idea of the shape so we can
19 see the different shape of the two documents. Okay.
20 A. [Indicates]
21 Q. Okay. The document that we're now talking about is clearly much
22 more rectangular than the previous document. Can you tell us the --
23 okay, thank you very much for that.
24 The document that you're looking at right now, 125, what kind
25 of -- we see that that is a -- we see typeface on this. What kind of
Page 2817
1 machine did this document, in your view?
2 A. In my opinion, a typewriter.
3 Q. And did you have anything to do with this document?
4 A. No.
5 Q. What I mean by that is: Do you recognise any writing you did on
6 this document?
7 A. Yes, I wrote that I transmitted it at 1510 hours on the
8 13th of July, 1995.
9 Q. And is that an original inked signature of yours in the bottom
10 left-hand corner underneath that information you just gave us?
11 A. Yes.
12 Q. And did you sometimes use a typewriter in your job in 1995?
13 A. No.
14 Q. Did you have access to a typewriter around the command somewhere?
15 A. There was certainly a typewriter at the command. But where I
16 worked, no.
17 Q. And do you recall whether or not you received this information
18 over the phone and had it typed in or whether someone delivered you this
19 particular document and you typed it into the teleprinter? Do you know
20 which way it was?
21 A. I can't remember. I think they brought it to me to retype. I
22 don't think it's likely that somebody dictated it over the phone for
23 someone else to type it and then bring it to me to retype.
24 Q. If someone was in -- at the Borike Forward Command Post and
25 wanted a message sent by you, could they dictate it over the telephone
Page 2818
1 for you to write it down and send it?
2 A. Well, they could, but as far as I remember, that didn't happen
3 because there was a telephone connection with Borike.
4 Q. Was there any teleprinter connection or fax connection with
5 Borike, where they could actually send you a document already done?
6 A. As far as I remember, there was no teleprinter at Borike, and
7 even less likely a fax machine.
8 Q. We can see, from this document which has your original inked
9 signature on it, that it does not have any signature on the -- from the
10 author by the document, Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Milomir Savcic. Can
11 you make -- can you comment on that, why there is no signature?
12 A. No, no, I don't have an explanation, and there's no signature.
13 Q. There's also no strictly confidential number, and it's, as we can
14 see, not in the typical form of a -- that we've seen from the other
15 teleprinter documents. Can you explain that?
16 A. I don't know. I can't explain it. If only we had this same
17 document typed on a teleprinter with a number on it, or perhaps I made a
18 telephone call to find out the number. If we had the teleprinter version
19 of this document, we would see perhaps a number, or perhaps it was sent
20 simply like this, without a number.
21 Q. But the fact that you have signed and written "Delivered" on
22 this, does that indicate that you actually typed this into a teleprinter
23 and sent it?
24 A. Yes, yes.
25 MR. McCLOSKEY: Thank you, Mr. President. I have nothing
Page 2819
1 further.
2 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you very much.
3 Witness, you know that now the accused has the possibility to put
4 questions to you.
5 Mr. Tolimir, do you have cross-examination?
6 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President.
7 Peace unto this house, peace unto everyone. I hope that this day
8 of trial and the entire trial and the entire process be completed as God
9 wills it, not as I will it.
10 I do have questions for this witness, and I will put them now,
11 with your leave.
12 Cross-examination by Mr. Tolimir:
13 Q. [Interpretation] Witness, since we speak the same language, when
14 I say, Thank you, at the end of the question, then please wait a couple
15 of seconds, and you can follow the typing on the screen in front of you.
16 Wait until the typing finishes and then start answering, to avoid
17 overlapping. Thank you.
18 My first question is: In July 1995, you worked at the command of
19 the Rogatica Brigade. How far was that command from the forward command
20 post at Borike? Thank you.
21 A. Eighteen kilometres, if you go on the road.
22 Q. Make just a slightly longer pause before your answer.
23 Mr. Gojkovic, you talked to the Prosecutor on 16 May 2005, at the
24 field office of the ICTY in Sarajevo, and also now in preparation for
25 this testimony, and other times you testified before this Tribunal, and
Page 2820
1 you constantly discussed the same series of documents. Did you call this
2 set of documents "Atlantis" or did the Prosecutor give it that name?
3 A. I was also told that the batch is called "Atlantis," but I
4 personally don't know what it means.
5 Q. Can you say for the transcript that you did not write, yourself,
6 this name "Atlantis" that is indicated here together with the ERN number?
7 A. No, I did not write that name.
8 Q. Thank you. Can you tell us where those telegrams that you and
9 Ziza transmitted were kept and who had access to them in your teleprinter
10 room?
11 A. They were in our keeping. And when we were done with them, we
12 returned them to the command. We didn't keep them longer than the time
13 we needed to type them and transmit them. They would be immediately
14 returned to the command.
15 Q. And where did you keep teleprinter tapes that were an impression
16 of the telegrams that you transmitted?
17 A. We would have one or two tapes. The others were kept somewhere
18 in the depot or the command. I can't remember exactly where. But we
19 always had one in use and one in reserve, just in order not to run out
20 during one shift.
21 Q. Where were the copies of teleprinter tapes for already-sent,
22 outgoing telegrams kept, and for how long were they kept, if you
23 remember?
24 A. Well, they were kept for 24 or 48 hours. I can't remember. Then
25 they were destroyed. I don't know exactly how long. We kept them for a
Page 2821
1 while.
2 Q. In your training to become a teleprinter operator, were you
3 taught that these tapes had to be kept as proof that a telegram was sent?
4 A. Yes, that's what I said. They were kept for a day or two just in
5 case a problem occurred, and then they were destroyed.
6 Q. Do you know they should not have been destroyed until the
7 competent person, official, who gave you the code allowed it? They
8 should not have been destroyed?
9 A. No, I don't know that.
10 Q. Do you know that a text typed on a teleprinter, on a perforated
11 tape and on this narrow paper, must not be allowed to fall into the hands
12 of the enemy, who could use it to discover your codes?
13 A. I know that.
14 Q. Do you know that it is also prohibited to misappropriate both the
15 perforated tape and the teleprinter copy that you can produce to the
16 command as proof of sending?
17 A. Can you repeat that question? I didn't really understand.
18 Q. Do you know that teleprinter material, in the form of a
19 perforated tape, and the copy that is obtained after typing on a
20 keyboard, the keyboard of the teleprinter, must not be destroyed or given
21 to other persons so they -- or, rather, lest they discover your codes
22 based on the perforated tape?
23 A. Yes, it's true, we were not supposed to give it to anyone. It
24 was not allowed.
25 Q. Is it the case that every teleprinter machine releases both a
Page 2822
1 perforated tape and a paper with the characteristic typing?
2 A. The teleprinter, yes. The teleprinter runs both the perforated
3 tape and the paper.
4 Q. Did all your teleprinters write telegrams mostly in those large
5 block letters or small letters?
6 A. I don't know how to answer that. There were two types of
7 teleprinters. This is, for instance, one type. I can't remember exactly
8 the typing of the other one.
9 Q. All these telegrams shown you by the Prosecutor that you saw
10 yesterday and earlier today, were they written -- typed in big block
11 letters?
12 A. The one currently on the screen is. The other one, no.
13 Q. The other one was not typed on a teleprinter, only a typewriter?
14 A. Only typewriter.
15 Q. In big or small letters?
16 A. There are both lower case and upper case letters.
17 Q. Which means that it was typed on a typewriter, not a teleprinter?
18 A. Right.
19 Q. Did you just say to the Prosecutor that you did not have and did
20 not need a typewriter?
21 A. In my work-place, I had no use for a typewriter.
22 Q. Didn't you just say that there was no need for you to type any
23 material brought to you first on a typewriter, then on a teleprinter?
24 A. There was no need for that.
25 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] I thank the interpreters for this
Page 2823
1 caution that we are speaking too fast -- that I am speaking too fast.
2 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
3 Q. I will quote. The Prosecutor asked you if you received these
4 telegrams by phone. You said:
5 "No, I don't remember. I think it was brought to me, who would
6 type it on a typewriter and then a teleprinter."
7 Is that what you said a minute ago?
8 A. Yes.
9 Q. Then I will conclude before this Court that you did not type the
10 contents of this telegram on a typewriter in your workroom. Somebody
11 must have brought it to you.
12 A. I certainly didn't type it on a typewriter.
13 Q. I'm asking you these questions purposefully while your memory of
14 the direct examination is still fresh.
15 Let me ask you another thing. Is it normal and customary for
16 these telegrams, typed on a machine, to be kept in your documentation,
17 while the perforated tape of the teleprinter is destroyed?
18 A. They didn't need to be kept. As soon as we receive confirmation
19 of receipt from the corps, there was no need to keep it any longer. We
20 kept the tape for 24 or 48 hours - I can't remember which - but we
21 returned the originals immediately to the command as soon as it was
22 typed.
23 Q. What was to you proof that you sent something from a teleprinter?
24 Was proof this typewritten paper or the tape, perforated in the
25 teleprinter in a specific way, in that specific code?
Page 2824
1 I will repeat my question. For you, as an encryption operator,
2 what was more valid as proof, that you have the perforated tape from that
3 telegram or the copy that the teleprinter machine produced, rather than a
4 typewriter or a manuscript?
5 A. This is for me a confirmation from the other side, from my fellow
6 teleprinter operator on the other side, who confirmed that it was well
7 received.
8 Q. If some investigating authorities wanted confirmation that you
9 really sent a particular telegram, would you show them a telegram
10 typewritten on a typewriter or would you show them a teleprinter report
11 and the perforated tape as proof that you sent it?
12 A. I wouldn't produce anything.
13 Q. If they came to you and asked you --
14 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey would like the floor.
15 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes. I didn't want to interrupt the question,
16 but could the record reflect that when he made the answer and said this
17 is -- I don't see exactly where he said it, but this is proof that the
18 other side got it. Could the record reflect that he was holding up --
19 that's 32, line 7, thank you. Could the record --
20 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Line 4.
21 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yeah. Mine says "7," but it says:
22 "This is for me a confirmation from the other side, from my
23 fellow teleprinter operator on the other side, who confirmed that it was
24 well received."
25 Could the record reflect that he picked up the P125, the more
Page 2825
1 rectangular 13 July document, when he made that statement.
2 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Witness, could you confirm what the Prosecutor
3 said?
4 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] Yes.
5 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, we are over the regular time for the
6 break, so that we should have the first break now.
7 We adjourn and resume at 11.00.
8 --- Recess taken at 10.34 a.m.
9 --- On resuming at 11.01 a.m.
10 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Yes, Mr. Tolimir. Please carry on with your
11 examination.
12 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President.
13 We'll continue where we left off.
14 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation].
15 Q. Witness, sir, the Prosecutor said this document that you
16 indicated, he noted that for the transcript, did you show the document
17 typed on the teleprinter or typed on the typewriter?
18 A. On the typewriter.
19 Q. And is that document confirmation that the document was sent or
20 the one that was sent out on the teleprinter?
21 A. The one that was sent out on the teleprinter, that is
22 confirmation that it arrived there.
23 Q. And is the document of confirmation also the one that was written
24 by the typewriter or something else?
25 A. Confirmation for me is the time written on the document.
Page 2826
1 Q. I asked you earlier, when investigators come and asked you to
2 prove if you sent the contents of the telegram or not, what would you
3 show them as evidence that you did send the telegram that was given to
4 you? Thank you.
5 A. I would show them the time indicated on the telegram. I would go
6 to the command and find that telegram.
7 Q. Thank you, but you can put in the time after the event. But what
8 would you prove -- what would you show as proof that the telegram was
9 actually sent?
10 A. If I had the tape, if I didn't destroy it, I would take the tape
11 and show that as proof that the telegram was sent.
12 Q. What has more weight, the teleprinter report, the print-out from
13 the teleprinter, or the print-out from the typewriter given to you by the
14 commander?
15 A. I don't know.
16 Q. All right, thank you. I will give you an example now.
17 You know that on the 4th of July, 1992, 45 members of the JNA
18 were killed in Zepa, and 31 were wounded, when they tried to provide food
19 to Zlovrh. Do you remember that?
20 A. Yes.
21 Q. Because of the fact that they were killed, Avdo Palic and other
22 persons were charged for killing them. They were from Zepa. They were
23 only trying to provide food to a military facility there, and the
24 teleprinter operator who was dispatching telegrams had to prove that he
25 did send a telegram at Zlovrh that food would arrive, so that these
Page 2827
1 people would not be captured. Thank you. Are you aware of that, these
2 events? Are you aware of these events, because this is close to you?
3 A. Yes, I am aware that these soldiers were killed.
4 Q. Are you aware that an investigation was conducted into the way
5 that these people were killed?
6 A. No.
7 Q. Are you aware that the teleprinter was actually the tool that the
8 encryption operator used to prove that there was a telegram sent that
9 food would arrive? Are you aware of that?
10 A. No, I am not.
11 Q. Thank you. Are you aware that only on the basis of this
12 teleprinter print-out, this person was able to prove that the telegram
13 was sent out, because the Muslims had captured Zlovrh, and it was not
14 possible to prove it on the basis of incoming telegrams, but on the basis
15 of outgoing telegrams, and that he couldn't prove that with the document
16 that he was supposed to send out, but he only did that on the basis of
17 the teleprinter copy?
18 A. No, I don't know that.
19 Q. If you were in a similar situation, what would you provide as
20 proof that you had sent the telegram? Would it be the typewritten copy
21 or the teleprinter print-out? Thank you.
22 A. If I had the perforated tape, I would provide the teleprinter
23 print-out to you.
24 Q. But if you didn't have the perforated tape, but only the text
25 typewritten on the electronic typewriter or the teleprinter, what would
Page 2828
1 you give me as proof that you did send the telegram? Thank you.
2 A. I really cannot answer. I don't know.
3 Q. If you did send the telegram, would it suffice that you just had
4 something on the typewriter? You could have done that even after the
5 attack on Zlovrh and you could have put it to me as proof.
6 A. I don't know why this would be something that I would be in my --
7 would have in my safekeeping. We wouldn't keep those. We would return
8 them immediately.
9 Q. The investigator would consider it more important to have a
10 print-out from the teleprinter, because each -- does each machine have
11 its own characteristics?
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. And in an investigation or an examination, would you be able to
14 prove whether a paper was printed on a specific typewriter or a
15 teleprinter because of the machine characteristics?
16 A. Yes, I think that somebody could probably be able to establish
17 that.
18 Q. Well, if you think that's possible, wouldn't it be better to show
19 me the teleprinter print-out, that you had sent the telegram out, or
20 would it be better for you to show me the typewritten text?
21 A. Well, the teleprinter print-out would be better.
22 Q. Thank you. We're not going to talk about this anymore. Don't be
23 afraid that the Prosecutor and I are putting so many questions to you. I
24 accept every document that you wrote, even the ones that the Prosecutor
25 was trying to prove whether they were drafted on the 9th or not. So just
Page 2829
1 answer calmly and truthfully to my following questions. I'm only putting
2 questions in order to prove the authenticity of the documents, not
3 whether you sent certain documents or not, just like in the example in
4 Zlovrh. You have nothing to be afraid of. All you have to do is answer
5 truthfully. Thank you.
6 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, you should slow down. It's very
7 fast again, and you are overlapping again. Please help the interpreters.
8 Carry on, please.
9 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President. I
10 apologise to the interpreters for not having that in mind.
11 Can we now please look at Exhibit P468. This is an interview
12 with this witness by Tomasz Blaszczyk, Tribunal investigator, and as well
13 as Julian Nicholls. This is the transcript of the conversation with
14 Danko Gojkovic on the 16th of May, 2005, at the offices of ICTY in
15 Sarajevo.
16 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
17 Q. Was that when the interview was conducted, at that time?
18 A. Yes.
19 Q. Can you please tell me now --
20 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Can we clarify something?
21 I see in the B/C/S version the year 2005, and in the English
22 version the year is 2006. Witness, could you clarify, was it in the year
23 2005 or 2006?
24 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] I think it was 2005, if I can
25 remember correctly. But I can see that the other document says "2006."
Page 2830
1 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I just wanted to clarify it for the record.
2 Please carry on.
3 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
4 Q. Danko, can you please tell me if you signed any statement when
5 you were interviewed by the investigators from the OTP in Sarajevo on the
6 16th of May, 2005?
7 A. If I remember correctly, I didn't sign anything.
8 Q. Did you sign any statement in any contact with the ICTY
9 investigators?
10 A. No, I didn't sign any statement.
11 Q. Thank you. Well, that's better for you, isn't it? You didn't
12 sign, and they didn't ask you to, so now you can be held responsible for
13 only the things that you said. Thank you.
14 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Can we now look at page 5 of this
15 document in the Serbian and page 6 in the English. Thank you.
16 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
17 Q. Do you see what it says in the second sentence here? You say --
18 well, the investigator tells you, in line 1:
19 "We will look at this document later. We're looking at
20 0425-8558."
21 And then you say:
22 "I don't know what that is."
23 So are you clear now about what is said by the investigator and
24 what you said?
25 A. Yes.
Page 2831
1 Q. Well, this will be like throughout the whole text, you are marked
2 as "DG"?
3 A. Yes.
4 Q. Thank you. And then the OTP investigator says:
5 "We will tell you what that number is. We know that these
6 documents are authentic because we received them directly from
7 Republika Srpska."
8 Do you remember that he told you that?
9 A. Yes, I do.
10 Q. And then a few lines later, in relation to this same document --
11 JUDGE FLUEGGE: One moment.
12 Mr. McCloskey, please.
13 MR. McCLOSKEY: It may be a transcription, but the English has
14 that "we received them directly from the VRS," and, of course, there's a
15 very big difference between Republika Srpska and the VRS.
16 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you.
17 Carry on, please, Mr. Tolimir.
18 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you. Thank you to the
19 Prosecutor.
20 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
21 Q. Danko, please, can you look at line 19?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. Where it says -- the Prosecutor says:
24 "Let's go through this document, 0425-8558. I'm looking at the
25 translation."
Page 2832
1 And then he tells you:
2 "You tell me if I'm reading something wrong. 'Sent at
3 1745 hours, 14th of July, 1995.' And then underneath that, there is your
4 signature."
5 And then after that, you say:
6 "If nobody forged it, then it is."
7 Thank you.
8 Can we now please show -- did you say this? Did I read this
9 correctly?
10 A. Yes, yes.
11 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you. I didn't turn off --
12 turn on the microphone. Can we show in e-court 480.
13 Thank you, now we see the document, 480.
14 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
15 Q. In 2005, were you shown this document that Investigator Nicholls
16 says bears your signature?
17 A. As far as I remember, yes.
18 Q. On this document, we see only your initials, not your signature;
19 is that correct?
20 A. Yes, you can see my initials at the bottom, and in the right top
21 corner there is my signature.
22 Q. He told you, in the transcript, there is your signature below.
23 We see only your initials, not the signature?
24 A. At the bottom, yes, there are only initials.
25 Q. Does this document bear your signature at the bottom of the
Page 2833
1 document or at the top of the document?
2 A. At the top.
3 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, could you please clarify one thing?
4 The words: "And underneath is your signature; right?", this
5 question of the investigator in the OTP statement, it is referring to the
6 answer -- it is referring to the question before. It says:
7 "Okay. So on the top, and I'm looking at a translation, so you
8 tell me if I read anything wrong. It says: 'Sent 1745 hours, 14th of
9 July, 1995.'"
10 And then the answer of the witness is: "Yes."
11 And then: "And underneath is your signature" -- [overlapping
12 speakers]
13 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Will someone tell me which line it
14 is?
15 JUDGE FLUEGGE: It is in the English version, lines 12 to 16.
16 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President. We will
17 look at it.
18 Can we please show page 520 of the first document we were looking
19 at. It's P486, P486. Fifth page, lines 19 through 24.
20 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I think there's a wrong number.
21 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] P468, P468, page 5. Thank you.
22 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
23 Q. We see, in line 19, Nicholls says to you, that's the investigator
24 who talked to you, I quote:
25 "Let us go through this document, 0425-8558. With regard to what
Page 2834
1 is written in this order, explain to us what is the difference between
2 what is written in hand and this document. Before we began, I showed you
3 briefly -- before the interview, I showed you briefly these documents
4 that we will be discussing, and you remembered this. At the top, and I'm
5 looking at the translation, you read me -- you tell me if I'm reading
6 something wrong: 'Sent at 1745 hours, 14th of July, 1995.'"
7 "And underneath is your signature?"
8 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Gajic.
9 MR. GAJIC: [Interpretation] Your Honours, let me just note that
10 this last sentence quoted by Mr. Tolimir, regarding the signature, does
11 not feature in the English translation.
12 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Gajic, you should look first to the answer of
13 the witness, "Yes," and then it continues:
14 "And underneath is your signature; right?"
15 Do you agree?
16 MR. GAJIC: [Interpretation] Yes, of course, I agree, but in that
17 respect the original and the translation do not correspond entirely,
18 because in the Serbian, line 24, it says:
19 "Sent at 1745 hours on 14 July 1995.
20 "And underneath is your signature."
21 That is in the Serbian version, lines 24 and 25.
22 JUDGE FLUEGGE: There is, in fact, the answer "Yes" missing.
23 Thank you.
24 Mr. Tolimir, what do you want to get from the witness? Please
25 carry on.
Page 2835
1 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you.
2 Instead of the answer, "Yes," the question asked by the
3 investigator is answered by the witness as follows:
4 "Unless someone falsified it, it is."
5 And the investigator says:
6 "You recognise your signature?"
7 And Mr. Danko says:
8 "I recognise it."
9 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
10 Q. I only wanted to ask you: This answer that you gave, does it
11 relate to some other document which did bear your signature rather than
12 this typewritten document or typed document which does not bear your
13 signature?
14 JUDGE FLUEGGE: We should have it on the screen again.
15 MR. McCLOSKEY: Mr. President, I think as you pointed out to him,
16 clearly the signature we're talking about was underneath the date, and so
17 this accusation that Mr. Nicholls is falsely questioning the witness is
18 unfounded and should be withdrawn and made clear to the witness, because
19 the way this is going, he's suggesting to the witness Mr. Nicholls is
20 inappropriately putting words in his mouth. That's absolutely not the
21 case, and he should not go further in those suggestions.
22 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I think the witness should be shown again this
23 document, and he may comment on the signature we have already seen on the
24 top of this document. I think it was P480, if I'm not mistaken.
25 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President.
Page 2836
1 I kindly ask you that you and the witness and the Prosecutor look
2 at line 19, where the number of the document is indicated, "0425-8558."
3 And he speaks of a signature on some other document, where the
4 typewritten document is P125 and bears the ERN number is 0425-8580. It
5 bears the signature, and that's what the discussion is about. And Danko
6 says after that:
7 "Unless someone falsified it, it is."
8 I'm just pointing out the contents of this interview, and I'm
9 asking the witness about something that's unclear to me.
10 JUDGE FLUEGGE: We should first have that on the screen,
11 otherwise, it's not very satisfactory to continue in that way.
12 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Here, the document is on the
13 screen, and I showed it first to the witness.
14 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Yes, and now again ask the witness about the
15 signature.
16 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] Thank you.
17 Q. Is there your signature on this document or are there only
18 initials at the bottom?
19 A. At the bottom, only initials.
20 Q. Did you only sign under the indication when the document was
21 sent? You are not signing for the substance of the document?
22 A. Correct, only for when it was sent.
23 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I'm of the opinion that this problem is now
24 solved.
25 Please move on to your next topic.
Page 2837
1 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] I did not hear the interpretation
2 of what you said because the interpreters were changing.
3 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I said, I'm of the opinion that this problem is
4 now solved, and then I said to you, Please move on to your next topic.
5 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
6 Q. Witness, when this document was shown to you, the one you see on
7 the left side of the screen, did it bear your signature at the bottom of
8 the document or at the top of the document, which only refers to the time
9 of transmission?
10 A. My signature is at the top.
11 Q. And what is at the bottom?
12 A. Initials.
13 Q. Would I be right in saying that one document was shown to you,
14 where there is no signature of yours at the bottom?
15 A. At the bottom, no.
16 Q. Please, during the interview in Sarajevo, did investigators tell
17 you and explain how they came into possession of these documents and what
18 the chain of custody was until they reached this Tribunal?
19 A. They got it from someone from Republika Srpska, and that's why I
20 asked if this was perhaps forged, because I'm not aware that we gave them
21 these documents.
22 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, please wait.
23 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President.
24 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
25 Q. And do you know that these documents, before being shown to you,
Page 2838
1 were in Serbia, in Mali Zvornik, later in Gornji Milanovac, later in
2 Republika Srpska, and then in Zagreb, and that was the path they
3 travelled?
4 A. I don't know that.
5 Q. Do you know that this Prosecutor, who questioned you a moment
6 ago, said himself that one Defence team also had access to these
7 documents while they were in Zvornik and they were not in the control of
8 Republika Srpska authorities?
9 A. No.
10 Q. Was that perhaps an opportunity to falsify or replace documents,
11 because they were not under the control of Republika Srpska authorities
12 or your brigade?
13 A. I don't know. I don't know that.
14 Q. But if you had known then that these documents had been outside
15 of the control of your brigade before they were given to the Prosecutor,
16 would your attitude have been different to the signature on the document?
17 A. No, I wouldn't have a different attitude. I would have again
18 said it was my signature.
19 Q. But can your signature be scanned and copied onto a blank piece
20 of paper; do you know that?
21 A. I don't know that.
22 Q. Do you know anything about the technique of scanning a signature
23 from one document to another?
24 A. I don't know anything about it.
25 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] This document, the telegram, P125,
Page 2839
1 could it be shown to the witness.
2 JUDGE FLUEGGE: It is on the screen.
3 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] We can see it now.
4 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
5 Q. This document we see, the typewritten one on the left side, would
6 it have normally had a teleprinter impression if you had transmitted it
7 by teleprinter?
8 A. If they had asked me to put it through the teleprinter, I would
9 have done so. Perhaps they didn't ask for it, I just sent it and
10 returned it.
11 Q. Did anyone ever ask you for the teleprinter version of the other
12 telegrams you sent?
13 A. I can't remember.
14 Q. Why do all the documents have their teleprinter versions, only
15 this one hasn't?
16 A. I don't know.
17 Q. Why did you keep in archives the teleprinter version of all the
18 documents, all the telegrams, but not this one?
19 A. I don't know whether I had it in my possession, whether I kept
20 it. I can't remember.
21 Q. Would it be logical, if you sent this telegram also by
22 teleprinter, that it would have a teleprinter impression, like all the
23 telegrams -- all the other telegrams introduced by the Prosecution here?
24 A. It's possibly there somewhere in the Drina Corps. They must have
25 the teleprinter copies. I don't know. How do I know that? It just came
Page 2840
1 to me. I retyped it and sent it.
2 Q. Please focus on my question. I'm not accusing you of anything.
3 You said you transmitted it, and I'm asking you: If you really
4 transmitted it, is it logical that every telegram you transmitted has a
5 teleprinter impression, like all the other telegrams the Prosecution is
6 introducing, but not this one?
7 A. I don't know what to answer.
8 Q. I know you don't know what to answer, but answer the
9 Trial Chamber. How come that only this telegram does not have a
10 teleprinter copy, just a typewriter copy?
11 A. I don't know. I told you a moment ago they probably didn't want
12 us to give them a teleprinter copy.
13 Q. Did I ask you for copies for other telegrams?
14 A. Not from me. Why would you ask it from me?
15 Q. Why do they have all the copies of telegrams that I sent, all the
16 other ones?
17 A. I cannot answer that either. I don't know. Maybe you asked for
18 the other copies to be made.
19 Q. I never asked anything from you, nor have I ever seen you before.
20 Have you seen me before?
21 A. Never. I'm 99 per cent sure. I'm leaving the 1 per cent just
22 because I'm not inclined to make it 100 per cent.
23 Q. Did you ever speak to me on the phone?
24 A. No.
25 Q. It's logical that you -- that copies were kept for all the other
Page 2841
1 telegrams. It's not your fault, but it should have been done by the
2 archivers of telegrams?
3 A. We returned everything the same second to the command. We kept
4 the teleprinter tape for a day or two or three, and then it would be
5 destroyed.
6 Q. All these telegrams that we are seeing here that are being
7 introduced through you, that the Prosecutor showed you in direct
8 examination, which are accompanied by teleprinter copies, were they also
9 sent by you to the Documentation Department of the Drina Corps?
10 A. Yes, most of them we sent to the Drina Corps because we liaised
11 with them.
12 Q. They were also your superior command?
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. Were they duty-bound to keep all teleprinter copies for telegrams
15 you sent, but they didn't seem to have kept this one from Savcic?
16 A. I suppose they should have kept them. You should ask one of
17 them.
18 Q. Is there a possibility that someone misappropriated the
19 teleprinter copy of this and put in a typewriter copy, or perhaps there
20 is no teleprinter copy for the Savcic telegram at all?
21 A. I don't know that.
22 Q. We also see in the transcript of this interview that the
23 Prosecution interrupted you when you said: "I don't know what it is,"
24 and they said:
25 "We know these documents are authentic."
Page 2842
1 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Could my legal adviser indicate the
2 reference.
3 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
4 Q. We'll look at it now, and you will see it in the record of your
5 interview. At one point, you say: "I don't know what this is." And
6 they answer: "We know," and so on.
7 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] It's P468 that we looked at before.
8 Can it be shown again, page 5?
9 MR. McCLOSKEY: In the English, it's page 6, line 16, where they
10 say:
11 "Well, we know that these documents are authentic."
12 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you.
13 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] Thank you.
14 Q. We see now -- do you see line 3? I'll read it to you.
15 Investigator Nicholls says in line 3:
16 "We will tell you what this number is. We know that these
17 documents are authentic because we received them directly from
18 Republika Srpska. When we received them, we put a registration
19 number --"
20 JUDGE FLUEGGE: It is "directly from Republika Srpska." In the
21 English version, we have "from VRS." There is, again, perhaps an
22 interpretation problem or translation problem. I just wanted to clarify
23 that.
24 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes, this interview was done in English with
25 Mr. Nicholls, and so he would have -- the English version is what would
Page 2843
1 have come out of Mr. Nicholls' mouth. And it may have been the
2 translator on site may have made the mistake.
3 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I just wanted to indicate that there is a problem
4 of translation.
5 Please carry on. Sorry for interrupting you.
6 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] All right.
7 Q. It continues:
8 "When we get them, we stamp what's called an evidence
9 registration number. That is our number just to keep track of evidence."
10 Now, I want to ask you: These words about the authenticity of a
11 document, could they have influenced you so that you accept -- take it
12 for granted that a document is authentic?
13 A. I think it's authentic just because of my signature, nothing
14 else.
15 Q. But you never suspected that it's technically possible to scan
16 your signature and then put it on a blank piece of paper?
17 A. No, I did not have such suspicions.
18 MR. McCLOSKEY: Mr. President.
19 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Yes, Mr. McCloskey.
20 MR. McCLOSKEY: Sorry for speaking first.
21 At this point, I would like to object. And if Mr. Tolimir
22 continues on this, I think he's obligated, under Rule 90(H), that in
23 cross-examining a witness, he needs to put his case, his position, to the
24 witness. So if he is, in fact -- it is his position that this is a
25 falsified document, he needs to say that, under this Rule, as opposed to
Page 2844
1 just going all around the issue. This Rule requires that you actually
2 say that to the witness.
3 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir.
4 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President.
5 I don't mind this document at all. I could even have it
6 admitted. The Prosecutor shouldn't worry about that. I just want to
7 reach -- to get to the truth about the authenticity of particular
8 documents.
9 Let us go to page 6 of the Serbian version, lines 2 to 5, and
10 English version page 7, where Mr. Nicholls says to the witness -- it
11 says:
12 "There are no surprises here, no tricks, nothing, no forgery.
13 Forget what's written in the order, and I mean forget it. I want you to
14 explain to me how it worked, these headings. This order would be sent,"
15 et cetera, et cetera.
16 MR.
17 Q. Is that what Nicholls said to you in Sarajevo?
18 A. Yes.
19 Q. Did the Prosecution ask you anything about the contents of the
20 documents during breaks in your interview in Sarajevo? Did you have any
21 breaks?
22 A. I did.
23 Q. During these breaks, did you discuss documents at all;
24 authenticity, anything?
25 A. No.
Page 2845
1 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Can we now show P469. This is the
2 cover page of the Atlantis telegram. Thank you.
3 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
4 Q. Do you see this on the left-hand side of the screen?
5 A. Yes.
6 Q. And on the right-hand side, you can also see "Atlantida," the
7 translation into the Latinic script, and on the right-hand side [as
8 interpreted] it's written in the Cyrillic script?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. Thank you. Can you explain whether what is written in the
11 Cyrillic, this heading, "Atlantida," was written in the Rogatica Brigade
12 by you and Ziza, or was this written by somebody else after the telegrams
13 were placed in this cover and in the file, and when it was given this
14 number that makes it authentic? Thank you.
15 A. I am definitely not the one who wrote these words.
16 Q. Thank you. Do you see on this page where it says: "Telegrams
17 28/34"?
18 A. Yes.
19 Q. Is this written in the Latin or the Cyrillic script?
20 A. The Latin script.
21 Q. What about the heading; is that in the Cyrillic or the Latin
22 script?
23 A. "Atlantida" is written in the Cyrillic script.
24 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you. Can we now show
25 document P469, page 2. Thank you.
Page 2846
1 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Before this document disappears from the screen,
2 could the witness please tell, if you recall, who has written the word
3 "telegrami" on this cover page? Do you recognise this handwriting?
4 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] I don't know. I don't recognise
5 that. The first time I saw this cover sheet was when it was shown to me
6 in Sarajevo. That was the first time. I didn't see it before.
7 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you very much.
8 Then the other document should come up on the screen.
9 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
10 Q. Do you see this document, and what is it? What is it that you
11 see? Can you explain, please?
12 A. I can see "Military Secret, Strictly Confidential," and then
13 I can see the number "042," which is upside down, and I cannot read what
14 it says here.
15 Q. Do you see anything written in the Cyrillic, underneath
16 "Military Secret"? Thank you.
17 A. The word "Vod," "Platoon," is written, definitely "Vod." I can't
18 read this other word, the second word.
19 Q. Thank you. The document which has no content, is that something
20 which would be marked with the words "Military Secret" and "Strictly
21 Confidential"?
22 A. Well, it is here.
23 Q. In your practice, would you put anything like "Military Secret,
24 Strictly Confidential" on a document that didn't have any contents?
25 A. Well, as far as I can remember, no, we wouldn't do that.
Page 2847
1 That's -- that was not what we would do.
2 Q. Thank you. And did you place the date, time, and place on a
3 blank piece of paper when you sent the telegram or did you put that
4 information on the contents of the telegram?
5 A. We would do that on the contents of the telegram.
6 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you. Can we look at page 2
7 of this document. Oh, we are looking at page 2.
8 Can we now show document 122.
9 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] Thank you.
10 Q. Do you see the document on the left? Is this something that was
11 typed on your teleprinter, and did you process this document on your
12 teleprinter and receive it? Thank you.
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. And how did you mark it in the upper corner?
15 A. The right-hand corner:
16 "Received at 245 hours the 30th of July, 1995."
17 Q. Did you always mark the documents in the upper right-hand corner,
18 the time that you received it, the time you sent it, and put your
19 signature there? Thank you.
20 A. Well, I would always say whether it was received, sent out, the
21 time, the date, and the signature. The top part of the paper would
22 always need to be marked.
23 Q. I'm asking you, in the telegrams that were shown to you that are
24 being tendered here through you, did you always sign in the upper
25 right-hand corner of the paper?
Page 2848
1 A. I don't remember. The couple that we looked at was signed in the
2 right-hand corner, upper corner. Sometimes I signed it at the bottom of
3 the page too.
4 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Can we look at P472 now, please.
5 Can we also look at P468 together with this document. Thank you.
6 Page 9 in the English -- in the Serbian, page 9 in the Serbian, and
7 page 12 in the English. Can we look at page 9 in the Serbian and page 12
8 in the English of document P468. Thank you.
9 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
10 Q. We see the part when you start speaking. This is the fourth line
11 from the top. You say:
12 "No. As a rule, this is not a telegram at all. You could not
13 send this like this. There is no indication of to whom this is being
14 sent to, for example."
15 And then the other person says:
16 "But this could be a document that was supposed to be sent to the
17 field or is an order; what is it?"
18 And then you say: "I don't know."
19 Did I quote correctly what you said and what the Prosecutor said?
20 Thank you.
21 A. Yes.
22 Q. Please, since during the war you did send telegrams, can you
23 please point out to us what is missing on this telegram that we are
24 looking at now? What is missing there? Thank you.
25 A. The person who is sending it is missing, and to whom it is being
Page 2849
1 sent is also missing.
2 Q. A teleprinter operator, would he know to whom he should send this
3 telegram and who it was received from? Would he know that?
4 A. No, he wouldn't.
5 Q. Would you add this telegram to your collection of telegrams, such
6 as the collection "Atlantida" is, if you wish to keep a collection of
7 telegrams for some purpose or other?
8 A. No, I would not include it in my collection.
9 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you.
10 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey.
11 MR. McCLOSKEY: Could we have the English up so we can see it for
12 the testimony? It's hard to say what it -- I mean, Ms. Stewart's got it
13 for me on her private one, but I think it's helpful to see that so we can
14 understand what the questions have to do with.
15 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Indeed, that would be helpful.
16 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you. And we do see the
17 English version, which is what the Prosecutor asked for.
18 Can I continue, Your Honour? Thank you.
19 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I would like to have an indication where, in the
20 English translation of the interview of the witness, we found -- we will
21 find this passage.
22 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you. I asked the witness
23 what was missing in this telegram so that the teleprinter would be able
24 to process it and send it. He said that there was no heading and there
25 was no addressee indicated. In English, that is in the transcript on
Page 2850
1 page 12, where he talks with the -- thank you. And then he answered my
2 question that he wouldn't know to whom he would send the telegram
3 to - thank you - because there is no address that the teleprinter
4 operator would be able to use. Thank you.
5 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you. Page 12, line 5 and the following.
6 Please carry on.
7 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] Thank you.
8 Q. Witness, can you please tell us if you have to have an address to
9 which you would send the telegram, and the address would need to have a
10 technical means of receiving what you are sending to them; is that
11 correct?
12 A. Yes, it would.
13 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you. Can we now look at
14 Exhibit P481, page 2, please. Thank you.
15 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
16 Q. We can see the exhibit that I asked for on the left. The
17 document is in the form of a telegram. However, do you see if something
18 has been added by hand at the bottom of this page?
19 A. Yes, item 7 has been added in handwriting. It's not typed.
20 Q. Thank you. And would this look more like a draft telegram or a
21 telegram, and was it permitted to add things like that by hand?
22 A. Well, if I remember correctly, it wasn't, but I'm not really
23 sure.
24 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you. We see that this item 7
25 was not translated into English, but it's not important, in terms of this
Page 2851
1 witness or for these proceedings in general.
2 Can we look at 65 ter 124 on the screen now, please. Thank you.
3 Thank you. Prosecutor's 65 ter 124 is not part of the
4 "Atlantida" set of documents, as the representatives of the Prosecution
5 marked it. This is Prosecutor's 65 ter number 124. Can we look at that
6 one, please? Thank you.
7 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, there are some problems to find such
8 a document. Do you perhaps mean the P number 124 instead of the 65 ter
9 number? It can't be found.
10 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] It was the Prosecutor's 65 ter
11 number 124. Perhaps the Prosecutor can tell you where we can find it.
12 Thank you.
13 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey, can you assist us?
14 MR. McCLOSKEY: Well, I can say that the document that is on the
15 screen, which is P124, is part of the compact section of "Atlantida." We
16 have the originals here, and the ERN numbers were done in the order that
17 they were in the file. And that ERN number on this document is within
18 the ERN range of the "Atlantida," so this particular document, which is
19 on our list, is part of the "Atlantida" collection. Beyond that, I'm not
20 sure where we went.
21 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, can you help us?
22 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you. All I can say is the
23 document, Prosecutor 65 ter 124, has number ERN 0293-5555. Thank you.
24 This is a document on the accommodation of prisoners of war.
25 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey.
Page 2852
1 MR. McCLOSKEY: I think he meant 65 ter 124, and that fits, and
2 that is not a member of "Atlantida." So he just mixed up the now almost
3 archaic 65 ter numbers.
4 JUDGE FLUEGGE: He was referring to the 65 ter list of the
5 Prosecution?
6 MR. McCLOSKEY: That appears to be what, and we're slowly pushing
7 that list to the side and replacing it with other numbers.
8 JUDGE FLUEGGE: I note, Mr. Tolimir, that you didn't indicate
9 that you were going to use this document. If you do that in advance
10 always, it would help everybody in the courtroom, especially the
11 Registry, to find the document properly.
12 I think we have it now on the screen.
13 Mr. McCloskey.
14 MR. McCLOSKEY: Ms. Stewart says it is on his list. It was in a
15 range of material. They did ask us just a few hours ago for the
16 originals of this, which we have, if they need those. And, yes, it does
17 have the 65 ter number for identification. But it's not in evidence yet,
18 so it has never been -- gotten another number.
19 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you.
20 Mr. Tolimir, please carry on.
21 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you to Mr. McCloskey. Thank
22 you, Mr. President. We did indicate this document last night.
23 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
24 Q. Can we now ask the witness to tell us whether he was the one who
25 processed this document on the teletype and whether he confirmed its
Page 2853
1 receipt with his signature on the 13th of July, 1995?
2 A. Yes, at 2230 hours.
3 Q. Did you indicate that in the upper right-hand corner?
4 A. Yes.
5 THE INTERPRETER: The interpreter did not hear the question. The
6 microphone was switched off.
7 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
8 Q. Can you please look at the third line of this document, and you
9 can see where it says the number there is still unclear. Can you see
10 that?
11 A. Yes.
12 Q. Can you please tell us what this number is? Thank you.
13 A. "8," and I think there's one "0" there. I'm not sure. I would
14 say that it's "80."
15 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you.
16 Can we now look at page 2 of this telegram. Thank you.
17 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
18 Q. Do you see on page 2 now, in line 5 of the text, the number that
19 was unclear on the previous page?
20 A. Yes, I do.
21 Q. Can you please tell us what number that is and whether there was
22 some kind of teleprinter error, typing error, or for some other reason,
23 where the number is not the same?
24 A. Yes. Here we can see "8" and then most probably two "0s," "800
25 ."
Page 2854
1 Q. So what should be written in the first document?
2 A. It should be "800."
3 Q. Yes, "800." All right, very well. It says -- in hand, it's
4 written:
5 "If you are not able to adequately accommodate all prisoners of
6 war from Srebrenica, we inform you that in Sjemec, in the facilities of
7 the 1st" something "Brigade, there is arranged accommodation," with an
8 unintelligible word, "Palace [phoen], for 800 prisoners of war"?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. You probably wrote this yourself?
11 A. Yes.
12 Q. On this telegram written in hand, did you put any initials?
13 A. You can't see them here. Probably not.
14 Q. Did you indicate when it was transmitted, when it was sent, on
15 which date?
16 A. No.
17 Q. Was it customary that you write that only on the teleprinter
18 copy?
19 A. If somebody wanted us to make a teleprinter copy, yes. But if we
20 just returned it like this, we didn't write anything.
21 Q. Look at the next page. We're again on page 1, and you put your
22 signature and time sent on the teleprinter copy, not the copy that I gave
23 you?
24 A. Yes.
25 Q. Would it have been normal to do the same with the Savcic telegram
Page 2855
1 that was only typed on a typewriter, without a teleprinter copy?
2 A. Well, probably when somebody brought this telegram of yours, was
3 it your telegram?
4 Q. That's not what I'm asking you. I'm asking you about the Savcic
5 telegram. If you had a teleprinter copy, would you have signed the
6 teleprinter copy or the one on the typewriter?
7 A. Well, he maybe didn't want a copy. Maybe he just wanted to get
8 back the copy that he gave me, and that's what I signed.
9 THE INTERPRETER: The question was not heard. The microphone was
10 off. The answer:
11 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] Never.
12 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
13 Q. Well, I suppose you did whatever your superior taught you to do.
14 I didn't ask you for anything, because I'd never seen you and I never
15 talked to you on the phone. But please don't worry about that. I'm only
16 discussing what is logical. It would have been logical to have a
17 teleprinter copy of what was written on a typewriter. Would it have been
18 logical to have a teleprinter copy of the Savcic telegram typed on a
19 typewriter, like you have the teleprinter copy of the telegram that I
20 wrote in hand?
21 A. There should be a teleprinter copy of the Savcic telegram.
22 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Please, this document, the first
23 and the second page, I would like to have admitted into evidence
24 because --
25 JUDGE FLUEGGE: There's no need for giving a specific reason. It
Page 2856
1 will be received.
2 Mr. McCloskey.
3 MR. McCLOSKEY: While we're still on this document, we just
4 received the original, so it may be a good time for the General to look
5 at it so he doesn't have to go back, if that's possible.
6 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Indeed, we agree.
7 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] I thank Mr. McCloskey.
8 THE REGISTRAR: 65 ter 124 is now Exhibit D49.
9 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you.
10 The Chamber would like to see it as well.
11 It may be shown to the witness so that he can state for the
12 record what he said to the versions on the screen.
13 Do you recognise these two documents, one handwritten and one
14 obviously from the teleprinter?
15 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] I do recognise.
16 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Just to clarify, the handwritten version, is that
17 written by you?
18 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] You mean this one? No, I didn't
19 write this.
20 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Do you know who produced this? Whose handwriting
21 is it?
22 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] I don't know whose handwriting it
23 is.
24 JUDGE FLUEGGE: You just received it and typed it into the
25 teleprinter and sent it out; is that correct?
Page 2857
1 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] Yes, yes.
2 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you. That might be given back to
3 Mr. McCloskey.
4 Mr. Tolimir, please carry on.
5 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] Thank you.
6 Q. Mr. Witness, now, a moment ago you had in your hand both the
7 handwritten telegram and the teleprinter version. Were both signed by
8 Major-General Zdravko Tolimir?
9 A. I didn't pay attention. I can have a look again.
10 Q. Yes, please. Can the telegrams be given to the witness again,
11 because you said you didn't know who wrote them, for the record.
12 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Please.
13 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] I think it says "Z. Tolimir,
14 Major-General, Assistant Commander." I'm not 100 per cent sure, but --
15 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] Thank you.
16 Q. Could you please concentrate on item 1 of this telegram that you
17 see on the left-hand side of the screen. Rather, the three lines above
18 item 1. To answer this question, I'll read it to you:
19 "If you are unable to find adequate accommodation for all
20 prisoners of war from Srebrenica, we hereby inform you that in Sjemec, in
21 the facilities of the 1st Light Infantry Brigade, there is arranged
22 accommodation with tents for 800 prisoners of war."
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. Did you write this on the teleprinter?
25 A. Yes.
Page 2858
1 Q. Is this a notification, because in the second line it says "we
2 hereby inform you"?
3 A. Yes, it's a notification.
4 Q. You are a native of Rogatica. Were there any sheep, or horses,
5 or pigs in Sjemec, was there a farm?
6 A. Yes, there were barns and stables, and there was -- there were
7 sheep, cattle, pigs.
8 Q. When did you send this?
9 A. It was transmitted at 2230 on the 13th of July, 1995.
10 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] I tender this telegram. In fact,
11 it's already exhibited.
12 And now we move on to the next round of questions.
13 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey.
14 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes. I think it's incumbent upon the General to
15 provide some authentication for that. And under Rule 90(H), since he is
16 cross-examining on it, his position on whether this is authentic and from
17 him would be helpful to know, unless he chooses not to, but I think that
18 would be helpful to know. And there is precedent that would suggest he
19 must tell us, Rule 90(H), and when offering a document into evidence, its
20 authentication should be attested to by the person offering it.
21 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, we would like to receive your
22 comment on that.
23 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Mr. President, I took a Prosecution
24 document that the Prosecution marked 65 ter 124, and that he'd disclosed
25 to the Defence. I tendered it like I tender any document. I do not make
Page 2859
1 claims of authenticity when I tender documents. I'm not the accused here
2 and I'm not being questioned here as a witness. I am tendering documents
3 into evidence, and the Prosecution and the others can discuss it and take
4 their positions. Thank you.
5 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey.
6 MR. McCLOSKEY: Based on what the General has said, I would
7 object to this being -- coming into evidence, because I think it's an
8 inappropriate precedent that a document comes into evidence with no
9 attestation about authenticity, and of course, just because the
10 Prosecution gave something to him doesn't mean anything. And I think he
11 should say something about it, and if he's going to cross-examine him on
12 it, he should say, under Rule 90(H). Now, yes, he is an accused
13 representing himself, and that complicates the issue, I think. But when
14 it comes to offering a document into evidence, I think he's required to
15 say something more than, I don't have to say anything. To the degree of
16 what he says, of course, is your -- in your view, but he must say
17 something, in view of the Prosecution.
18 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, the fact that the Prosecution has
19 disclosed many documents to you and your Defence doesn't mean anything
20 about the authenticity of these documents. It is an obligation of the
21 Prosecution to give you all the documents related to this case. You are
22 using now this document, and not the Prosecution. They didn't tender it,
23 they didn't put it to the Chamber's knowledge. You did it. And,
24 therefore, you should consider your position, although it's complicated
25 for you, as you have no counsel but you are representing yourself. But
Page 2860
1 for the fairness for the witness, especially, and for the fairness of the
2 procedure, you should take into account the position of Mr. McCloskey so
3 that we have a full picture what is happening during the examination of
4 this witness.
5 Would you like to have the second break now? Then you can
6 consider the situation and confer with your legal assistant, perhaps.
7 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President. But I
8 confirmed, through this witness, that he sent this telegram. And he said
9 in the right top corner he signed, that it was transmitted at 2230 hours
10 on the 13 July 1995, so I'm introducing it through this witness. He
11 confirmed he wrote it.
12 I can write hundreds of documents in my own hand, whether they
13 will be accepted by the Prosecution or not. I'm introducing it through
14 the witness, and it's up to the witness to say whether it's authentic or
15 not. I asked him whether the handwritten document is consistent with the
16 contents of the telegram that he transmitted. Of course, he can be asked
17 the same question by the Trial Chamber.
18 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey.
19 MR. McCLOSKEY: That is sufficient, in the view of the
20 Prosecution, Mr. President.
21 JUDGE FLUEGGE: As the document is already admitted as D49,
22 I think we can leave this problem at this stage. Thank you very much.
23 You have five minutes left before the second break, Mr. Tolimir.
24 Please carry on.
25 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you. Thank you,
Page 2861
1 Mr. President, and I thank the Prosecutor.
2 Can we please call up 123, Exhibit 123. It's a document dated
3 13 July. It has a typewritten signature, "Zdravko Tolimir," and the
4 title is: "The situation in the Zepa enclave."
5 JUDGE FLUEGGE: It is, in fact, P123.
6 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
7 Q. Witness, if you just look at this document, you will see that it
8 was processed by your predecessor on your shift, and it's signed "Ziza"
9 in the Serbian version, and even this teleprinter copy you sent to the
10 Drina Corps. Correct?
11 A. Yes.
12 Q. In the top right corner, does it say "Copy" and "Ziza"?
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. In the bottom right corner, does it say "Transmitted at" and the
15 time indication?
16 A. Yes.
17 Q. It is a matter of indifference to me whether it's "0050" or
18 "950," so I'm not going to ask you anything about that.
19 Can we conclude from this document that it was sent on the
20 13th of July, 1995?
21 A. No, you can't conclude that. The date indicated in the heading
22 is 13 July 1995, but it's not supported by any text below. I'm not sure.
23 Q. It doesn't matter. Does the heading say "13 July"?
24 A. Yes, it does, "13 July 1995."
25 Q. At the beginning, we read:
Page 2862
1 "This afternoon, we did not manage to establish the planned
2 contacts with the representatives from Zepa, Torlak and Omanovic, as it
3 had been scheduled to meet at 2100 hours.
4 "They informed us through UNPROFOR that they were active during
5 the day, informing the population about the conditions of their
6 evacuation from Zepa, and they were forced to do that because the
7 government in Sarajevo decided that they should not evacuate."
8 Now, based on what I've just read, can we conclude from the
9 document that it relates to the events of 12 July 1995, from this passage
10 where it says: "This afternoon, we did not manage to establish contact
11 as planned ..."
12 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Can we show document P491 to help
13 the witness answer this question?
14 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] It's again a document sent on the
15 13th of July, 1995. The same title, "The situation in the Zepa enclave,"
16 under the name of Zdravko Tolimir. And we see in the right top corner
17 that it was transmitted at 1820 hours on the 13th of July, and we see
18 your signature in the right top corner.
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. In the bottom corner, are these your initials?
21 A. [No interpretation]
22 Q. On the 13th, were you working, because you seem to have sent all
23 the telegrams on the 13th?
24 A. Yes.
25 Q. Can you now read the first sentence:
Page 2863
1 "On 13 July 1995, at 1200 hours, we contacted Hamdija Torlak and
2 Mujo Omanovic ..."
3 Is that written in the first two lines?
4 A. Yes.
5 Q. We read a moment ago that we were not able to have contact on the
6 12th, and now in the 13th, in the telegram you sent, it says that the
7 contact did take place on the 13th because they had talked to the
8 population. Can we then conclude that the previous document relates to
9 the 12th and this one to the 13th?
10 A. This one relates to the 13th. Now, the previous one, where it
11 says there was no contact, it could be the 12th. Maybe we can return
12 that document back on the screen.
13 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Before we do that, one answer of the witness was
14 not recorded because there was no verbal response. The witness was
15 asked:
16 "In the bottom corner, are these your initials?"
17 And I think your answer was: "Yes, 'GD.'"
18 Are these your initials?
19 THE WITNESS: [Interpretation] Yes, yes.
20 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you, just for the sake of the record.
21 Let's have a look on the other document again to answer the
22 question of Mr. Tolimir.
23 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] P123. Thank you.
24 JUDGE FLUEGGE: It's on the screen now, I think.
25 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] Thank you.
Page 2864
1 Q. You asked to see the document in order to be able to answer
2 whether these two telegrams are linked by their contents and whether the
3 contents from the telegram that we looked at earlier and the first
4 sentence of this telegram refer to the same topic. Is that correct?
5 A. Yes, they do refer to the same topic.
6 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Your Honour, you said that I had
7 five more minutes. I have finished with this section. If we need to go
8 on a break, we can do that now, and then we can continue with part 2.
9 Thank you.
10 JUDGE FLUEGGE: That's fine. We must have our second break now,
11 and we will resume at 1.00.
12 --- Recess taken at 12.34 p.m.
13 --- On resuming at 1.04 p.m.
14 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Our apologies for the delay.
15 Mr. Tolimir, please carry on.
16 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President.
17 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
18 Q. Witness, sir, we are going to move to a second set of questions.
19 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] And before that, could we please
20 see document P125. Thank you. That's the document that was typed on a
21 typewriter, which is allegedly the telegram sent by Savcic. Thank you,
22 thank you.
23 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
24 Q. We've seen in all the telegrams that we have been shown so far
25 that you wrote in the upper right-hand corner when you received and sent
Page 2865
1 the telegrams that we saw on the screen and that we looked at so far; is
2 that correct?
3 A. Yes.
4 Q. Only in this telegram, we see that what is written in the left
5 lower-hand corner is: "Handed in at 1510 hours on the 13th of July,
6 1995," and your signature, and that that is a photocopy of your signature
7 and the words that you wrote in; is that correct?
8 A. Yes.
9 Q. Can you please tell me if you listened to the testimony of
10 General Savcic here before this Tribunal over the internet, or did you
11 follow it in the media because it was open and public? Thank you.
12 A. No.
13 Q. Are you aware that in the Popovic case, General Savcic stated
14 that he never wrote this telegram and that he never -- and that it never
15 arrived in the battalion?
16 A. No, I'm not aware of that.
17 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey.
18 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes. General Savcic is on the witness list. But
19 if he's going to make reference to the Popovic testimony, especially on
20 something like this, he needs to provide line and page, because my memory
21 is distinctly different from what he has said on that point.
22 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, could you give a reference?
23 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President. Thank
24 you to Mr. McCloskey.
25 This is page 15262 of the transcript from the Popovic case.
Page 2866
1 Since the witness doesn't understand English, I'm going to read the
2 translation of a part of the transcript. It is 1D118, page 32, in the
3 e-court. Thank you.
4 Can we look at the English on one side and the Serbian on the
5 other side so that the witness could, because he doesn't understand.
6 Thank you.
7 Can you put Savcic's document on one side and on the other
8 side -- so on one side, you can put the Prosecutor's 65 ter 185, which is
9 Exhibit P125, and on the other side can you put the transcript that
10 Savcic is speaking. Thank you.
11 Now I'm going to read lines 2 and 5 on page 15262. The
12 Prosecutor asked Savcic:
13 "Do you remember if you prepared this document?"
14 And the witness, Savcic, replies on lines 7 to 14, I quote:
15 "My name is there, but there is no signature, so I've already
16 told you that that I don't recall drafting this document myself. And
17 here are a few reasons why I still can't believe that I did. First of
18 all, in the heading, it says 'IKM, forward command post of the
19 65th Protection Regiment,' et cetera, 'Borike, 1400 hours.' I did not
20 set up that forward command post. I just led a part of the unit that was
21 there. There is no date indicated. This document does not have the
22 format of a telegram ..."
23 And then on lines 16 and 17, he states, I quote Savcic:
24 "Next, I cannot suggest something to the commander of the
25 Main Staff or his deputy, because I'm not an assistant commander to
Page 2867
1 suggest and propose anything. I'm just a subordinate who executes the
2 orders given to him."
3 Then Savcic says in lines 19 to 24, after the first sentence he
4 says as follows:
5 "'Assistant commander of the Main Staff of the VRS for
6 intelligence and security proposes the following measures.'"
7 This is what it says in the telegram after the first sentence:
8 "So the assistant commander proposes, and I'm the one who writes.
9 If he is the one proposing, then why he isn't -- isn't he the one who's
10 writing?"
11 Then I've just noticed the names of units start in small letters,
12 not in capital letters. This is page 15263 of the transcript, and it is
13 page 33 in e-court, lines 1, 5. And it goes on to, and I quote:
14 "That's something that I know, so I cannot say with any certainty
15 that I drafted this as dictated by Tolimir, but I cannot refute the
16 possibility with 100 per cent certainty either. I can just say that this
17 document was never received by the commander of the military police ..."
18 THE INTERPRETER: The interpreters note: We no longer see the
19 original on the screen.
20 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] "And the commander of the military
21 police never acted upon it."
22 Thank you.
23 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
24 Q. What I'm saying is that the document on the left-hand side of the
25 screen, if it was signed by Colonel Milomir Savcic, which he denies,
Page 2868
1 would it also need to bear his signature?
2 A. I cannot say.
3 Q. Had it been typed, the name, wouldn't he need to sign the
4 document?
5 A. I don't know. I really cannot answer that question.
6 Q. All right, thank you. We understand each other. Can you please
7 read what the first sentence of the telegram says, the telegram allegedly
8 sent by Savcic? Thank you.
9 A. "In the sector of Dusanovo (Kasaba) ..."
10 Q. Is that correct?
11 A. Yes. "In the sector of Dusanovo (Kasaba) over 1.000 [Realtime
12 transcript read in error "100"] members of the former 28th Division of
13 the so-called B and H Army were arrested. The prisoners are under the
14 control of the Battalion of the Military Police of the 65th Protective
15 Regiment."
16 JUDGE FLUEGGE: First we would like to have the English
17 translation on the screen, on the right side, please. And, secondly,
18 Mr. McCloskey.
19 MR. McCLOSKEY: That's all I was trying to do. It's an important
20 document. It's very difficult for the interpreters as well.
21 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Absolutely.
22 Please carry on, Mr. Tolimir.
23 I don't know, it appears that there are differences between the
24 English translation we see on the screen and the translation we received
25 on the record. For instance, "over 100 members," and if I look at the
Page 2869
1 translation, there are "over 1.000 members." This is quite a difference.
2 And in the original, it seems to be "1.000." I just wanted to point out
3 that difference. There may be others.
4 Mr. McCloskey.
5 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes. That's, of course, exactly the problem with
6 not allowing the interpreters to see that. But this is an official CLSS
7 translation of this document on the screen, so that should be the
8 dispositive translation. Thank you.
9 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Please carry on.
10 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you.
11 I'm sorry that I don't speak English, but I think that the
12 interpreters, instead of saying the name "Dusanovo" first, they put it at
13 the end. But I'm sorry, it's just a question of my not knowing English.
14 JUDGE FLUEGGE: It is on the screen, and you should just carry on
15 and put the next question to the witness.
16 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
17 Q. Does the first sentence state or have the commander of the
18 battalion allegedly inform the addressees about a certain situation in
19 Dusanovo?
20 A. Yes.
21 Q. And does it say where this information was obtained and how does
22 he know this information?
23 A. No.
24 Q. "As for the rest of the telegram, the assistant commander for
25 security and intelligence affairs of the VRS Main Staff proposes the
Page 2870
1 following measures:"
2 Is that what the second sentence of the telegram says?
3 A. Yes.
4 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] All right. Can we now look at
5 document P123. Thank you. Can we look at the document on the left-hand
6 side of the screen, thank you, and then we will come back to this
7 document again.
8 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
9 Q. You can see the document P123, and you can see here that it's
10 from your brigade, and it's got such and such a number. It's sent to the
11 Main Staff, the Sector for Intelligence, and the Command of the
12 Drina Corps. It's also sent to the Command of the 65th Protection
13 Motorised Regiment and the Command of the 68th Protection Regiment. And
14 then the bottom is signed by Assistant Commander
15 General-Major Zdravko Tolimir?
16 A. Yes.
17 Q. Could Tolimir write directly to the battalion commander, because
18 as you see, it has his address and it says that he sent this order to
19 him? Could he also deliver the measures that he allegedly proposed in
20 the same way to him?
21 A. I don't know. How can I know that?
22 Q. Thank you. But did Tolimir have the authority to directly
23 address the commander of the battalion, as we can see from this telegram
24 that he's addressing him in the heading, because it does say here: "To
25 the Commander of the 65th Protection Motorised Regiment"? It's the
Page 2871
1 second addressee from the bottom. Is that what it says?
2 A. "The Command of the 65th Regiment."
3 Q. If he sent this telegram to him, could he also send a telegram to
4 him in which he's suggesting measures? Thank you.
5 A. I don't know whether he could have done that or not. I really
6 don't know what the structure was and who could issue orders to whom.
7 Q. All right. If I'm writing a telegram here, sending it to the
8 Command of the Protection Regiment, could I send them other contents,
9 other than these ones, and also send them to the same address? Could I
10 do that or not? Was I able to do that or not?
11 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey.
12 MR. McCLOSKEY: I think these questions regarding who has the
13 power or authority to do this or that, he's clearly answered he has no
14 idea. And to be raising his voice at this point, shouting that question
15 over and over again, is inappropriate. I know he doesn't mean it badly,
16 but it's been asked and answered. This witness doesn't know about these
17 things, and I would ask that the objection be sustained.
18 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, I was concerned about the use of
19 court time with this witness. You should perhaps focus on those matters
20 the witness can really testify about. He clearly stated that this was
21 beyond his area of responsibility.
22 And we have not much time left, perhaps 10 or 15 minutes for your
23 cross-examination, and we should try to finish with this witness today,
24 because the Prosecution and you indicated a certain time for examination
25 and I think we have reached the end of it.
Page 2872
1 Please carry on.
2 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] Thank you.
3 Q. Witness, can you please tell me when this telegram that you see
4 on the left side of the screen was written?
5 A. On the 13th of July, 1995, was when it was typed. I don't know
6 when it was written.
7 Q. When was it handed in?
8 A. I don't know whether it was at 0050 or 0950 hours. We don't
9 know.
10 Q. 0050, as you asserted first, was it written before the telegram
11 in which I am asking for the prisoners to be sent to Sjemec? If they
12 don't have anywhere to accommodate them, I'm informing them that there is
13 a room at Sjemec?
14 A. Yes, it's possible.
15 Q. Could I send a telegram to the Protection Regiment --
16 THE INTERPRETER: The interpreter did not understand what the
17 accused said.
18 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, the interpreters didn't catch your
19 question. Please repeat. "Could I send a telegram to the
20 Protection Regiment," and what was the end of your question?
21 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation] Thank you.
22 Q. Was I able to send to the Protection Regiment a telegram with the
23 same contents as Savcic's telegram, and would you have had to send it if
24 I had sent it to you for encryption?
25 A. Yes.
Page 2873
1 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Well, that was my question, and
2 that was the answer of the witness. Thank you.
3 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
4 Q. Do you, based on this telegram that allegedly Savcic wrote, know
5 to whom he was to send it, to which address? Does this typewritten
6 paper, written on a typewriter, bear a heading?
7 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey.
8 MR. McCLOSKEY: Simply, can we get it back up on the screen so
9 the witness knows what document you're talking about and the record is
10 clear?
11 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Yes, please.
12 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] P125, please, so the witness can
13 see it.
14 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
15 Q. Does the telegram indicate the address to which you are to send
16 it?
17 A. Yes.
18 Q. What does it say?
19 A. Commander of the Main Staff of Republika Srpska Army, assistant
20 commander for morale, religious, and legal affairs of the same
21 Main Staff, commander of the Military Police Battalion of the 65th ZMTP.
22 Q. Does it say who is sending the telegram?
23 A. Forward command post of the 65th Motorised Protection Regiment.
24 Q. Did you see that Savcic says in the telegram that he did not
25 manage to set up a forward command post --
Page 2874
1 THE INTERPRETER: Could they slow down, please, both speakers.
2 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Please don't overlap. The interpreters can't
3 catch it.
4 THE INTERPRETER: Can the accused please repeat the last
5 question?
6 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. Tolimir, I have to confess I made a mistake.
7 I thought you had indicated that you need two hours. You have indicated
8 three hours. You are not under time pressure.
9 Please carry on.
10 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President.
11 Can we then show document P490.
12 Thank you, we see the document.
13 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
14 Q. Could you please look at the heading? Does it say "Command of
15 the 1st PLBR"?
16 A. Yes.
17 Q. Does it say which date it is, 15 July?
18 A. Yes.
19 Q. Does the signature say "Commanders Lieutenant-Colonel Rajko Kusic
20 and Lieutenant-Colonel M. Savcic"?
21 A. Yes.
22 Q. Does it mean that back on the 15th, Savcic did not have a forward
23 command post; instead, he used the command post of your brigade
24 commander?
25 A. I wouldn't know that.
Page 2875
1 Q. Does this telegram make it obvious where Savcic was located?
2 A. I can't see that.
3 Q. Did Savcic and Kusic sign this telegram?
4 A. Yes. At least their names are indicated there. I don't know
5 whether they signed.
6 Q. Are they the authors of the contents of the telegram that you
7 sent?
8 A. I don't know that. I don't know if they authorised it.
9 Q. Did you get this from someone who brought it from town or from
10 your brigade command?
11 A. Maybe the command, maybe from the town. I don't know.
12 Q. Would you write telegrams on a teleprinter if you got it from
13 someone from town?
14 A. You mean a simple citizen? No.
15 Q. Do you see in the heading "Command of the 1st" such and such
16 "Brigade, strictly confidential, 15 July"?
17 A. Yes.
18 Q. Do you see that the contents were signed for by Rajko Kusic and
19 Savcic, their names are typewritten?
20 A. Yes, I see that.
21 Q. Does that tell the person who processes the telegram and who
22 receives it -- it's sent to the Main Staff and to the forward command
23 post. Does it tell the receiver that these two men are together?
24 A. It might. How do I know?
25 Q. I understand what you're saying. Thank you. How much time did
Page 2876
1 the messenger need to bring a telegram from Borike, from the forward
2 command post, to you, this telegram from Savcic?
3 A. It was 20, 25 minutes by car.
4 Q. Did you transmit this telegram at 2315 hours?
5 A. On the 15 July 1995, yes.
6 Q. Thank you. That evening, was it brought to you from Borike or
7 was it brought earlier?
8 A. I can't remember when it was brought. But as soon as it was
9 brought, it was transmitted immediately afterwards. That means it's
10 probably -- it was probably brought that evening, but I cannot be certain
11 about the time.
12 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Can we have again P492, and that's
13 where we'll wrap up for today.
14 Could we also see the lower right corner.
15 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
16 Q. What is the time indicated here?
17 A. "0100."
18 Q. It's "14 July"; right?
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. Does it say: "To the Command of the 65th Motorised
21 Protection Regiment"?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. We've just seen a telegram sent to the command on the 13th, the
24 Command of the Protection Regiment, by Tolimir?
25 A. Yes.
Page 2877
1 Q. Have we read here a telegram that says, We sent it on the 13th,
2 and where it says, We established contact with Torlak and the others?
3 A. Yes.
4 Q. Was it also sent from your teleprinter?
5 A. Yes.
6 Q. It says:
7 "At 12.00, we had a meeting with Torlak and Omanovic."
8 You sent this telegram at 1510 hours?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. Could Tolimir have written that telegram you sent at 1510?
11 A. He could have, but maybe he didn't. I don't know.
12 Q. If he met with Torlak at 12.00 and attended that meeting, was it
13 then possible for him to write that telegram and send it to you from
14 Boksanica by courier, having typewritten it as well, so that you were
15 able to send it already at 1510?
16 A. I don't know how long that meeting was. Boksanica is far away.
17 And from Rogatica, I don't know.
18 Q. Look again at P125. Judging by the form and contents, who wrote
19 this telegram?
20 A. It says "Lieutenant Colonel Milomir Savcic." Whether he wrote
21 it, I don't know. That's what I see on the monitor.
22 Q. Was it transmitted at 1510?
23 A. Yes.
24 Q. How much time did you need to do your work and transmit it?
25 A. I cannot tell you exactly to the minute, but perhaps 30 minutes,
Page 2878
1 perhaps slightly more or slightly less. I'm not sure.
2 Q. Thank you. This telegram does not bear any proof that it is
3 Savcic who sent it?
4 A. His name is there. It was sent under his name. Whether it was
5 sent by Milomir Savcic, I don't know.
6 Q. Is it true that anyone can type the name of Milomir Savcic or
7 anyone else?
8 A. I don't know that.
9 Q. Is there anything that authenticates it as written by this
10 signatory?
11 A. There's just his name.
12 Q. On record before this Court, he says that he never set up a
13 command post and he never wrote this telegram?
14 A. That's what he says. I can only see that it's written -- signed
15 "Milomir Savcic." That's how I processed it and sent it.
16 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Mr. McCloskey.
17 MR. McCLOSKEY: That is a misstatement. We saw what he said. He
18 did not say he never sent it. He said he didn't recall sending it. He
19 couldn't exclude the possibility. He never said what the General just
20 said, and it's inappropriate to make such a false statement to a witness
21 like that.
22 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you. Referring to another transcript, you
23 should be very precise, Mr. Tolimir.
24 Carry on, please.
25 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] Thank you, Mr. President.
Page 2879
1 I quoted that. It's on the transcript, and I'm not going to ask
2 the witness about it because we don't have time to call it again into
3 e-court. I only asked him a question in relation to what is evident on
4 the screen. I asked him about authorisation --
5 JUDGE FLUEGGE: We shouldn't debate this problem. Carry on.
6 MR. TOLIMIR: [Interpretation]
7 Q. Please, Witness, do you know about this date, the 13th of July?
8 Did you speak to Lieutenant-Colonel Savcic or no?
9 A. I don't think so.
10 Q. Have you ever talked to him during combat activities?
11 A. No.
12 THE ACCUSED: [Interpretation] This completes my
13 cross-examination. This confirms that this telegram could not even have
14 been dictated by the person who allegedly signed it.
15 Thank you for answering my questions, Witness. Thank you for
16 coming before this Court. I wish you a safe journey and a good life.
17 God bless you.
18 Thanks to the interpreters, who were keeping with us because we
19 were really in a hurry today.
20 Thank you, Your Honours, for your understanding and patience and
21 all the assistance on behalf of my Defence.
22 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Thank you very much.
23 Mr. Tolimir, just to avoid a misunderstanding, it is up to the
24 Chamber to give weight to the witness testimony today. We are not in
25 agreement with conclusions by either party after a witness has given
Page 2880
1 evidence.
2 Mr. McCloskey, do you have re-examination?
3 MR. McCLOSKEY: Yes, I do, Mr. President.
4 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Have you an indication? How much time do you
5 need? Do you need more than five minutes?
6 MR. McCLOSKEY: I may need more than five minutes, but -- yeah,
7 it's hard to say five minutes, but --
8 JUDGE FLUEGGE: Just start, and we'll see what --
9 MR. McCLOSKEY: Thank you, I appreciate it.
10 Re-examination by Mr. McCloskey:
11 Q. Witness, General Tolimir suggested just recently that you
12 normally -- or that all the documents we've seen, you sign in the
13 right-hand top corner, and it's only -- he's suggesting, it appears, that
14 only it's the left bottom signature from the 13 July Savcic document,
15 P125, that is different from those. That was on page 55, lines 10
16 through 20, and more recently, just in the last 10 or 15 minutes, he
17 mentioned something like that.
18 MR. McCLOSKEY: I have a document which we have given a 65 ter
19 number recently, Mr. President, in response to this issue. The number we
20 have given it, for the purposes of court, is 6347. I bring it
21 specifically as redirect to counter the assertion made by
22 General Tolimir. So it is in e-court at 6347, and I would like to give
23 the original to the witness.
24 Q. Now, Witness, have you seen this document recently?
25 A. Yes, yesterday.
Page 2881
1 Q. Yesterday, in my office?
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. And can you tell us -- we can see it's dated 31 July. Is your
4 handwriting on it at all?
5 A. It's there, "Transmitted," and then the indication of time,
6 "0900, 31 July 1995," and my signature.
7 Q. All right. And so is this like the Savcic document; you've
8 signed it "Transmitted" down in the lower left corner?
9 A. Yes.
10 Q. Can you tell, from looking at this original document, whether the
11 document you hold in your hand is typed from a typewriter or from a
12 teleprinter?
13 A. This was a typewriter.
14 Q. And who is the -- we see that Lelek is the Chief of Staff. Was
15 he the Chief of Staff of the Rogatica Brigade at the time?
16 A. Yes.
17 Q. And do you know where his office was in relation to yours in the
18 Communications Section?
19 A. The commands were some 60, 70 metres away.
20 Q. So Lelek was in the command building, 60 or 70 metres from where
21 you were in the communications building?
22 A. Yes, yes.
23 Q. And, I'm sorry, I don't know this -- those buildings very well,
24 but are they separate buildings or is it one big building and separate
25 parts of?
Page 2882
1 A. Communications were in one small building and the command was in
2 one larger building, but they were separate.
3 Q. Did Captain Lelek have a secretary?
4 A. There was a secretary. Whether she was his personal secretary, I
5 don't know.
6 Q. Did the command staff, Lelek and the secretaries, have access to
7 a regular typewriter over at the command building?
8 A. There was a typewriter there in their building. Whether they had
9 access to it, I don't know.
10 Q. All right. And I'll also note we see a signature on this
11 document. Do you recognise who that signature is?
12 A. Do you mean what I wrote or this other signature?
13 Q. Good question. The one under "Lelek."
14 A. I don't recognise whose signature it is, whether Lelek's or
15 someone else's. I wouldn't know.
16 Q. If someone else had signed for Lelek, should there be an
17 indication before the signature?
18 A. Could you say that again?
19 Q. If someone had signed for Milan Lelek, should there be an
20 indication of that at the signature block somehow?
21 A. I can't answer that question.
22 Q. Do you recall sometimes seeing the word "Za" on the signature
23 block and then a signature? The word "Za" meaning "For" in English?
24 A. You mean during the war? I don't remember. But generally
25 speaking, later I would have seen things like that.
Page 2883
1 Q. Can you tell us what the round thing on this document is?
2 A. A stamp, if we mean the same thing.
3 Q. So is that the official stamp of the Rogatica Brigade?
4 A. Most probably, because it's affixed here.
5 Q. And like the Savcic document of 13 July, did you send this
6 document and -- type it into the teleprinter and send it off at the -- as
7 noted with your signature and time?
8 A. Yes.
9 Q. Do you know why the Savcic document, 125, did not have a
10 signature or a stamp like this one does?
11 A. I don't know that.
12 MR. McCLOSKEY: Mr. President, I have about five or ten more
13 minutes, and I know we'll get in trouble.
14 JUDGE FLUEGGE: We're getting really in trouble because of the
15 other trial.
16 I think we have to adjourn now, and perhaps there are some
17 questions by the Chamber as well, so that it is necessary to continue
18 with this witness tomorrow. I apologise for that, but we have to
19 continue tomorrow, Witness, Mr. Gojkovic.
20 We have to adjourn now and resume tomorrow morning at 9.00 in the
21 same courtroom.
22 And just to let you know, you shouldn't contact either party
23 about the content of your testimony here in The Hague today. Thank you
24 very much for your understanding.
25 We adjourn and resume tomorrow morning.
Page 2884
1 [The witness stands down]
2 --- Whereupon the hearing adjourned at 1.50 p.m.,
3 to be reconvened on Thursday, the 17th day of June,
4 2010, at 9.00 a.m.
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