Public opinion firmly against Hague

Public opinion firmly against Hague
B92 - August 2, 2004

BELGRADE -- Monday – Three quarters of Serbian citizens believe that the Hague Tribunal is a political rather than a legal institution, according to research conducted by the Human Rights Ministry, B92 learnt today.

Just over sixty per cent of respondents to the July survey believe that there is a real threat of sanctions being imposed on Serbia over lack of cooperation with The Hague, while 34 per cent do not believe that the international community would isolate Serbia again.

However half the respondents say that cooperation with the tribunal is inevitable. At the same time, two thirds say that with skilful politics the government could escape sanctions and avoid extraditing suspects to The Hague. Half believe that local courts are ready to try war crimes cases.

Sixty-two per cent of respondents say it would not be in the state’s best interests for the four senior police and army officers now being sought by the tribunal to be extradited, while only 18 per cent say it would be. Thirty-seven per cent say the generals are innocent, 24 per cent say they are heroes, 23 per cent believe they have a degree of responsibility while only four per cent of respondents believe that they are guilty of war crimes in Kosovo.

Just over half say that the generals should not surrender to the tribunal.