This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLASSIFIED LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 01 OF 06 ZAGREB  02544 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DIA WASHDC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2// 
 
 
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 01 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO 
- 
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE 
- 
E.O. 12356:  N/A 
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT:  CYGOOL:  HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA- 
-         HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42 
 
 
------------------------ 
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 
------------------------ 
 
¶1.  (U)  THIS IS ONE IN A SERIES OF REPORTS ON 
SPECIFIC AND GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA AND 
HERCEGOVINA (B-H) BASED ON PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH 
THE SUBJECTS NAMED.  THE SUBJECT IN THIS REPORT 
AGREED TO SPEAK ONLY AFTER RECEIVING ASSURANCES THAT 
HIS NAME WOULD NOT/NOT BE USED PUBLICLY FOR FEAR THAT 
THAT WOULD ENDANGER RELATIVES STILL UNDER SERBIAN 
DETENTION IN B-H. 
 
¶2.  (LOU)  SERIF VELIC (PROTECT) IS A 42-YEAR-OLD 
MUSLIM METALWORKER FROM KEVLJANI.  HE WAS INTERNED LN 
THE SERBIAN-RUN OMARSKA CAMP FROM MAY 27 UNTIL AUGUST 
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PAGE 03        ZAGREB  02544  01 OF 06  011240Z 
28 WHEN HE WAS TAKEN TO MANJACA CAMP.  HE WAS HELD 
THERE UNTIL HIS RELEASE ON NOV. 14 TO THE KARLOVAC 
TRANSIT CENTER FOR EX-DETAINEES.  VELIC WAS ABLE TO 
DESCRIBE IN GRAPHIC DETAIL THE SEVERE BEATINGS HE 
RECEIVED IN OMARSKA.  HE WAS INTERVIEWED IN KARLOVAC 
ON NOV. 23 AND 25 AND WAS JUDGED CREDIBLE.  VELIC IS 
IDENTIFIED BELOW AS "S.V."  END INTRODUCTION AND 
SUMMARY. 
 
------------------- 
DETAILS OF THE CASE 
------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U)  S.V. IS A 42-YEAR-OLD BOSNIAN MUSLIM 
METALWORKER FROM A MUSLIM VILLAGE OF KEVLJANI, NEAR 
PRIJEDOR.  HE WAS INTERNED IN THE SERBIAN-RUN OMARSKA 
CAMP FOR THREE MONTHS AND IN MANJACA CAMP FOR THREE 
MONTHS.  S.V. WAS THE HEAD OF THE TERITORIJALNE 
- 
ODBRANA (TO) IN KEVLJANI BEFORE THE WAR.  THE 
TERRITORIAL DEFENSE GROUP WAS COMPOSED OF MUSLIMS, 
CROATS, AND SERBS.  THE GROUP HAD 7 AUTOMATIC RIFLES, 
4 M48 RIFLES, AND 2 PISTOLS.  THE TO IN KEVLJANI 
COMBINED WITH THE VILLAGES OF HADZICI, JAKUPOVICI, 
AND GORNJI PETROV GAJ.  THE GROUP HAD 23 GUNS TOTAL, 
SAID S.V. 
 
¶4.  (U)  ON MAY 26, SERBS ATTACKED HIS VILLAGE.  THE 
VILLAGERS FLED TO THE WOODS, BUT AFTER SPENDING THE 
NIGHT IN THE WOODS UNDER HEAVY SHELLING, MANY WOMEN 
WANTED TO SURRENDER.  S.V. AND AN IMAM LED A GROUP OF 
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PAGE 04        ZAGREB  02544  01 OF 06  011240Z 
WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER A WHITE FLAG TO THE SCHOOL 
 
 
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PAGE 01        ZAGREB  02544  02 OF 06  011241Z 
ACTION EUR-01 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AID-01   AMAD-01  CA-02    CIAE-00  HA-09    INRE-00 
      INR-01   IO-19    ADS-00   NSAE-00  OIC-02   RP-10    SR-00 
        /046W 
                  ------------------807D27  011241Z /38 
P 011036Z DEC 92 
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2889 
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY ATHENS 
AMEMBASSY BONN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY MADRID 
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY ROME 
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 
AMEMBASSY VIENNA 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION USVIENNA 
USIA WASHDC 2523 
USEC BRUSSELS 
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1135 
                   LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 
 
 
                   LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 
 
PAGE 02        ZAGREB  02544  02 OF 06  011241Z 
DIA WASHDC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2// 
 
 
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 02 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO 
- 
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE 
- 
E.O. 12356:  N/A 
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT:  CYGOOL:  HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA- 
-         HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42 
 
TO SURRENDER.  A SERBIAN OFFICER NICKNAMED CIGO TOLD 
THE GROUP THE WHOLE VILLAGE HAD TWO HOURS TO 
SURRENDER.  CIGO WAS THE HEAD OF THE TANK REGIMENT 
WHICH ATTACKED KEVLJANI.  S.V. SAID HE SURRENDERED TO 
CIGO ALL THE WEAPONS THE GROUP HAD, IN HOPES THAT THE 
VILLAGE WOULD BE SPARED.  HOWEVER, THE SERBIAN ARMY 
BURNED MOST HOUSES TO THE GROUND, AND SENT ALL 
MUSLIMS AND CROATIANS IN BUSES TO PRIJEDOR.  AT 4:00 
P.M, THE MEN WERE TAKEN TO THE KERATERM FACTORY ON 
THE EDGE OF TOWN, AND THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE 
TAKEN TO THE YOUTH CENTER IN TOWN.  S.V. SAID 24 
BUSES PULLED UP TO KERATERM.  HOWEVER, THE CAMP WAS 
FULL AND THE PRISONERS COULD NOT UNLOAD.  THE CONVOY 
CONTINUED ONWARD IN A LOW-PROFILE, ROUND-ABOUT WAY 
THROUGH TOMASICA TO OMARSKA CAMP.  THEY ARRIVED ABOUT 
11:00 P.M. 
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PAGE 03        ZAGREB  02544  02 OF 06  011241Z 
 
¶5.  (U)  S.V. SAID HE WAS IN BUILDING NUMBER 11, IN A 
ROOM 15 BY 15 METERS LARGE.  HE BELIEVES OVER 450 MEN 
WERE FORCED INTO THE ROOM.  THE ROOM WAS TOO SMALL 
FOR EVERYONE TO LIE DOWN, SO THEY TOOK TURNS SITTING 
AND STANDING.  S.V. SLEPT HERE FOR 22 DAYS.  ONLY 
AFTER 3 DAYS DID THE MEN RECEIVE ANY WATER, ABOUT 10 
LITERS TO DRINK FOR 450 MEN.  THE PRISONERS WERE MADE 
TO RUN A TYPE OF OBSTACLE COURSE WHEN THEY WERE FED. 
ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAFETERIA, THEY HAD TO PASS 
SINGLE FILE BETWEEN SERBIAN GUARDS, WHO TRIPPED AND 
BEAT ALMOST EACH PRISONER AS HE RAN BY.  BENCHES AND 
TABLES BLOCKED THEIR PATH, AND, IF THE PRISONERS 
STUMBLED OVER THESE, THEY WERE BEATEN EVEN MORE.  A 
MEAL CONSISTED OF 90 G. OF BREAD AND MAYBE SOME SOUP 
BROTH OR A CABBAGE LEAF.  OFTEN, S.V. SAID, 24 TO 60 
HOURS WOULD PASS BETWEEN MEALS. 
 
¶6.  (U)  ON HIS 22ND DAY AT THE CAMP (AROUND JUNE 
18-19), S.V. WAS CALLED OUT OF THE ROOM AT 2 A.M.  HE 
WAS INTERROGATED BY ZDRAVKO GOVEDARICA, A SERBIAN 
FROM THE VILLAGE OF MRKONJIC GRAD, NEAR JAJCE, WHOM 
HE KNEW BEFORE THE WAR.  THE MAN WAS AN OFFICER, WITH 
THREE CHEVRON MARKS ON HIS UNIFORM, S.V. SAID.  S.V. 
WAS REPEATEDLY QUESTIONED ABOUT THE LOCATION OF A 
LARGE GUN CALLED A MITRALJEZ BREDA.  S.V. DENIED ANY 
KNOWLEDGE OF THIS GUN, AND CLAIMED THAT THE TO IN 
KEVLJANI NEVER OWNED SUCH A GUN.  THE KEVLJANI TO HAD 
SURRENDERED ALL THEIR WEAPONS TO CIGO, DURING THE 
SERBIAN ATTACK ON THEIR VILLAGE. 
 
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PAGE 04        ZAGREB  02544  02 OF 06  011241Z 
¶7.  (U)  S.V. WAS TAKEN TO BUILDING 10, TO A ROOM 
 
 
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PAGE 01        ZAGREB  02544  03 OF 06  011243Z 
ACTION EUR-01 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AID-01   AMAD-01  CA-02    CIAE-00  HA-09    INRE-00 
      INR-01   IO-19    ADS-00   NSAE-00  OIC-02   RP-10    SR-00 
        /046W 
                  ------------------807D65  011243Z /38 
P 011036Z DEC 92 
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2890 
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY ATHENS 
AMEMBASSY BONN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY MADRID 
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY ROME 
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 
AMEMBASSY VIENNA 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION USVIENNA 
USIA WASHDC 2524 
USEC BRUSSELS 
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1136 
                   LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 
 
 
                   LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 
 
PAGE 02        ZAGREB  02544  03 OF 06  011243Z 
DIA WASHDC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2// 
 
 
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 03 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO 
- 
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE 
- 
E.O. 12356:  N/A 
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT:  CYGOOL:  HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA- 
-         HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42 
 
WITH FOUR SOLDIERS.  S.V. WAS MADE TO UNDRESS TO HIS 
UNDERWEAR, AND TOLD TO LIE DOWN ON HIS STOMACH ON THE 
TILE FLOOR.  ONE GUARD TOOK AN IRON CHAIR, PUT IT ON 
S.V.'S BACK AND SAT DOWN.  ANOTHER GUARD TOOK A LARGE 
CALIBER AUTOMATIC RIFLE AND BEAT S.V. ON HIS SPINE 
WITH THE BUTT OF THE RIFLE, POUNDING EACH VERTEBRA 
TWICE.  A THIRD GUARD CONTINUALLY KICKED S.V. ALONG 
HIS LEGS AND GROIN.  ONE GUARD POUNDED HIS RIB CAGE 
CONTINUALLY.  S.V. NOW HAS 4 BROKEN RIBS ON HIS LEFT 
SIDE.  THE INSPECTOR GOVEDARICA ENTERED THE ROOM 
DURING S.V.'S BEATING.  S.V. SCREAMED FOR THE GUARDS 
TO STOP, BUT THEY CONTINUED.  ONE GAVE HIM A SHEET OF 
MEDICAL PILLS PACKAGED IN A METAL AND PLASTIC, 
POP-THROUGH SHEET TO BITE ONTO TO PREVENT HIM FROM 
SCREAMING.  THIS METAL/PLASTIC SHEET ONLY CUT UP 
S.V.'S MOUTH, LEAVING SCARS WHICH HE SHOWED TO 
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PAGE 03        ZAGREB  02544  03 OF 06  011243Z 
EMBOFF, AND MADE HIM ALMOST UNABLE TO EAT FOR WEEKS. 
- 
¶8.  (U)  S.V. LOST CONSCIOUSNESS, BUT WHEN HE AWOKE, 
THE FOUR GUARDS WERE STANDING AROUND HIM, AND BEGAN 
TO BEAT HIM AGAIN, ON HIS LEGS, SHOULDERS, AND HEAD. 
HE SAID HE HEARD A VOICE SAY SEVERAL TIMES "NOT ON 
HIS HEAD|"  ONE GUARD TOOK A POLICE BATON, STRADDLED 
S.V.'S BACK, AND BEAT HIS BACK AND RIBS CONTINUALLY. 
S.V. SAID HE FELT THE PAIN OF ONLY THE FIRST TEN 
BLOWS, THEN FELT NO MORE.  ANOTHER GUARD PULLED OUT A 
KNIFE AND SAID HE WOULD CIRCUMCIZE S.V.  THE GUARD 
THEN CUT S.V.'S KNEE CAP, BUT S.V. SAID HE DID NOT 
EVEN FEEL THE KNIFE AS HE WATCHED BLOOD POUR OUT OF 
HIS LEG. 
 
¶9.  (U)  THE GUARDS MADE HIM STAND UP, BUT S.V. 
PRETENDED TO FAINT.  THE GUARDS DID NOT BELIEVE HE 
FAINTED, AND FORCED S.V. UP AGAIN.  ON HIS THIRD 
ATTEMPT TO STAND, S.V. DID LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS AS HE 
FELL ON HIS LEFT SIDE, WITH THE BROKEN RIBS.  THE 
GUARDS THREW WATER ON HIM TO WAKEN HIM.  THEY 
RETURNED HIS CLOTHES, AND S.V. WAS ABLE TO PULL ON 
HIS PANTS AND BOOTS BEFORE THEY WALKED HIM BACK TO A 
ROOM.  S.V. SAID HE WAS THE FIRST PRISONER IN OMARSKA 
TO BE RETURNED TO THE ROOMS AFTER A BEATING, AND NOT 
KILLED OR TAKEN TO THE SO-CALLED WHITE HOUSE.  S.V. 
WAS TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE OTHERS OF WHAT MIGHT 
HAPPEN TO THEM.  IT WAS 5:00 A.M.  S.V. WAS BEATEN 
FOR THREE HOURS.  HE SAID HE WAS SO BLACK AND BLUE 
THAT THERE WAS NOT ONE WHITE SPOT AS LARGE AS A 
FINGERTIP ON HIS ENTIRE BODY. 
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PAGE 04        ZAGREB  02544  03 OF 06  011243Z 
 
 
 
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PAGE 01        ZAGREB  02544  04 OF 06  011243Z 
ACTION EUR-01 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AID-01   AMAD-01  CA-02    CIAE-00  HA-09    INRE-00 
      INR-01   IO-19    ADS-00   NSAE-00  OIC-02   RP-10    SR-00 
 
(ADS) 
 
                  ------------------813337  022145Z /38 
P 011036Z DEC 92 
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2891 
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY ATHENS 
AMEMBASSY BONN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY MADRID 
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY ROME 
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 
AMEMBASSY VIENNA 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION USVIENNA 
USIA WASHDC 2525 
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PAGE 02        ZAGREB  02544  04 OF 06  011243Z 
USEC BRUSSELS 
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1137 
DIA WASHDC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2// 
 
 
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 04 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO 
- 
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE 
- 
E.O. 12356:  N/A 
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT:  CYGOOL:  HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA- 
-         HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42 
 
¶10.  (U)  S.V. TOOK ONE STEP INTO THE ROOM AND 
FAINTED.  HE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF HIS MUSCLES AND 
HAD A DIARRHEA ATTACK THERE.  HE WAS UNABLE TO WASH 
HIMSELF FOR OVER ONE MONTH, HE SAID.  S.V. THOUGHT HE 
LAY THERE FOR A FEW HOURS, BUT WAS TOLD HE LAY 
UNCONSCIOUS FOR TWO DAYS.  HE CAME TO WHEN HE HEARD 
HIS NAME CALLED SEVERAL TIMES.  THE CAMP GUARDS WERE 
CALLING FOR HIM TO EXIT THE ROOM.  AS S.V. WAS UNABLE 
TO WALK, SIX OTHER PRISONERS PUT HIM ON A BLANKET, 
AND CARRIED HIM INTO THE HALLWAY.  ONE GUARD ASKED, 
"WHERE'S YOUR GUN?"  THEY WERE LOOKING FOR S.V.'S 
PERSONAL HUNTING RIFLE FROM HIS HOME, WHICH S.V. HAD 
TURNED OVER TO CIGO WITH ALL THE OTHER GUNS IN THE 
TOWN.  THE GUARDS EVEN ASKED FOR ALL SEVENTY BULLETS 
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PAGE 03        ZAGREB  02544  04 OF 06  011243Z 
THAT S.V. OWNED AT THAT TIME. 
 
¶11.  (U)  FROM THIS HALLWAY, S.V. WAS CARRIED ON HIS 
BLANKET TO ANOTHER ROOM OF 36 MEN WHO WERE ALL SICK. 
S.V. SAID HE OCCUPIED A SPACE BEHIND THE DOOR OF THE 
ROOM, ABOUT 80 CENTIMETERS LONG.  AS HE LAY FOR 
SEVERAL DAYS IN A FETAL POSITION, HE WAS OCCASIONALLY 
ABLE TO MOVE HIS HEAD, HANDS, AND FEET, BUT HE 
RECEIVED ABSOLUTELY NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WHATSOEVER. 
A COUSIN OF HIS WAS IN THIS ROOM AND TENDED TO HIM. 
ONE DAY, GUARDS CAME INTO THE ROOM AND BEAT PEOPLE AT 
RANDOM WITH POLICE BATONS.  HIS COUSIN WAS 
PISTOL-WHIPPED IN THE FACE.  S.V. LAY BEHIND THE 
DOOR, AND SO WAS SPARED MORE INJURY AT THIS TIME. 
 
¶12.  (U)  S.V. COUGHED DESPERATELY.  HE SUCCEEDED IN 
TURNING ONTO HIS BACK AFTER TWO DAYS OF TRYING.  HE 
HAD JUST A FEW GULPS OF WATER DAILY.  HIS WOUNDS 
BEGAN TO HEAL SLOWLY.  HIS COUSIN MANAGED TO BRING A 
LITTLE FOOD TO HIM DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS.  AFTER A 
WEEK, S.V. WANTED TO GO TO THE CAFETERIA TO EAT WITH 
THE OTHERS, BUT HAD TO RUN THE OBSTACLE COURSE JUST 
LIKE THE REST OF THE PRISONERS. 
 
¶13.  (U)  TWO WEEKS LATER, THE GUARDS BEGAN 
SYSTEMATICALLY TO EMPTY OUT SEVERAL ROOMS, INCLUDING 
THE SICK ROOM S.V. WAS IN.  S.V. WAS PUT IN A MUCH 
LARGER ROOM, IN ROOM 15 WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED MEN. 
FOR 37 DAYS AFTER HIS BEATING, HE WAS LEFT ALONE. 
THEN HE WAS SENT A SECOND TIME FOR QUESTIONING TO 
INSPECTOR DRAGE MEAKIC, WHOSE BROTHER WAS THE CAMP 
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PAGE 04        ZAGREB  02544  04 OF 06  011243Z 
COMMANDER.  MEAKIC WAS A POLICE CRIMINAL INSPECTOR 
BEFORE THE WAR WHO WAS KNOWN TO S.V.  MEAKIC SHOWED 
GREAT INTEREST IN A LIST OF 101 MEN FROM KEVLJANI, OF 
 
 
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PAGE 01        ZAGREB  02544  05 OF 06  011244Z 
ACTION EUR-01 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AID-01   AMAD-01  CA-02    CIAE-00  HA-09    INRE-00 
      INR-01   IO-19    ADS-00   NSAE-00  OIC-02   RP-10    SR-00 
        /046W 
                  ------------------807D8A  011245Z /38 
P 011036Z DEC 92 
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2892 
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY ATHENS 
AMEMBASSY BONN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY MADRID 
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY ROME 
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 
AMEMBASSY VIENNA 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION USVIENNA 
USIA WASHDC 2526 
USEC BRUSSELS 
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1138 
                   LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 
 
 
                   LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 
 
PAGE 02        ZAGREB  02544  05 OF 06  011244Z 
DIA WASHDC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2// 
 
 
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 05 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO 
- 
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE 
- 
E.O. 12356:  N/A 
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT:  CYGOOL:  HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA- 
-         HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42 
 
ALL THREE ETHNIC GROUPS, WHO WERE IN THE TO THERE. 
S.V.'S NAME WAS ON THIS LIST.  HE UNDERWENT A THIRD 
QUESTIONING WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. 
- 
¶14.  (U)  ROOM 15 HELD ABOUT 300-350 MEN.  IT HAD A 
SMALL BATHROOM AREA, WITH LONG, CEMENT, TROUGH-STYLE 
SINKS.  FOR LACK OF SPACE, MEN SLEPT IN AND UNDER 
THESE SINKS.  THREE FAUCETS WORKED, SO IT WAS THE 
ONLY ROOM WITH WATER AVAILABLE TO THE PRISONERS. 
S.V. GOT A PLACE UNDER ONE SINK.  THE STENCH WAS 
TERRIBLE, AS THE SINKS WERE USED AS TOILETS BY THE 
PRISONERS.  HE SLEPT 10 DAYS IN THIS PLACE.  THEN HE 
WAS MOVED ACROSS THE HALL TO THE SHOWER STALLS.  TWO 
PEOPLE SLEPT IN EACH STALL, ONE METER SQUARE.  S.V. 
SAID HE COULD ONLY STRETCH HIS LEGS IF HE EXTENDED 
THEM UP THE SIDE WALL.  HE STAYED HERE UNTIL EARLY 
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PAGE 03        ZAGREB  02544  05 OF 06  011244Z 
AUGUST, WHEN THE ICRC AND JOURNALISTS CAME TO THE 
CAMP. 
 
¶15.  (LOU)  S.V. NAMED SEVEN OF EIGHT PEOPLE HE SAID 
WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM THIS SHOWER AREA AND NEVER SEEN 
AGAIN.  THEY WERE: 
-   IBRO PAUNOVIC (PROTECT), FROM PRIJEDOR,  WHO WAS 
    THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OF THE OMARSKA AND 
    TOMASICA MINES 
-   ESO MEHMEDAGIC (PROTECT), AN ALMOST BLIND MAN 
-   STJEPAN MARIC (PROTECT) 
-   MIROSLAV SOLAJA (PROTECT), DIED FROM WOUNDS 
    INFLICTED DURING A BEATING. 
-   MIROSLAV (FNU) 
-   SAKIB PERVANIC (PROTECT), TAKEN AWAY BY A MAN 
    WHOM S.V. IDENTIFIED AS THE SON OF RADE GRUBAN, A 
    SERB. 
-   SMAJO GARIBOVIC (PROTECT), 
 
¶16.  (U)  IN EARLY AUGUST, THE GUARDS AT OMARSKA 
BECAME VERY UNSETTLED AND MOVED MEN FROM ROOM TO 
ROOM.  184 MEN, INCLUDING S.V. WERE TRANSFERRED TO A 
GARAGE ABOUT 25 METERS SQUARE.  AFTER 3 DAYS, 88 OF 
THEM, INCLUDING S.V., WERE TAKEN TO THE SOCALLED 
WHITE HOUSE .  THE NEXT DAY, AUGUST 6, 1200 MEN WERE 
SENT ON A CONVOY TO MANJACA AS S.V. LATER FOUND OUT. 
THEN 1000 MEN WERE SENT TO TRNOPOLJE CAMP.  ONLY THE 
184 MEN SINGLED OUT BEFORE WERE LEFT IN OMARSKA. 
THEY WERE LED TO A LARGE ROOM WHERE THEY HAD TO 
ASSEMBLE AND MAKE ARMY BEDS. 
¶17.  (U)  S.V. WAS LED AWAY BY FOUR SOLDIERS TO A 
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PAGE 04        ZAGREB  02544  05 OF 06  011244Z 
NEARBY ROOM.  HE WAS AGAIN BEATEN TERRIBLY.  S.V. 
 
 
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PAGE 01        ZAGREB  02544  06 OF 06  011245Z 
ACTION EUR-01 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AID-01   AMAD-01  CA-02    CIAE-00  HA-09    INRE-00 
      INR-01   IO-19    ADS-00   NSAE-00  OIC-02   RP-10    SR-00 
        /046W 
                  ------------------807DA1  011245Z /38 
P 011036Z DEC 92 
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2893 
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY ATHENS 
AMEMBASSY BONN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY MADRID 
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY ROME 
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 
AMEMBASSY VIENNA 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION USVIENNA 
USIA WASHDC 2527 
USEC BRUSSELS 
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 1139 
                   LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 
 
 
                   LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 
 
PAGE 02        ZAGREB  02544  06 OF 06  011245Z 
DIA WASHDC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-5/J-2// 
 
 
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 06 OF 06 ZAGREB 02544 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR, L, IO, HA/MLA/POMETTO 
- 
USVIENNA FOR USDEL CSCE 
- 
E.O. 12356:  N/A 
TAGS: PREF PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR PHUM HR BK
SUBJECT:  CYGOOL:  HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA- 
-         HERCEGOVINA - CASE OF S.V., MUSLIM MALE, 42 
 
STOOD SPREAD-EAGLE AGAINST THE WALL WITH THE FIRST 
THREE FINGERS HELD UP OF EACH HAND.  (NOTE:  THIS IS 
THE SERBIAN CHETNIK SYMBOL.  END NOTE.)  HE WAS 
BEATEN WITH BATONS ON ALL HIS JOINTS, AND HIS LEGS 
BUCKLED UNDERNEATH HIM.  ONE GUARD BROUGHT A 
COCKROACH AND MADE S.V. EAT IT FROM HIS HAND.  THIS 
GUARD THEN CLAIMED THAT S.V. BIT HIM.  THREE OF THE 
SOLDIERS BEAT S.V. VICIOUSLY ON HIS CHEST, BACK AND 
LEGS WITH POLICE BATONS.  WHEN S.V. FELL, A GUARD 
STOOD ON HIS FACE AND RUBBED IT WITH HIS BOOT INTO 
THE FLOOR.  WHEN S.V. WAS SENT TO THE BATHROOM TO 
WASH, A GUARD FOLLOWED, AND BEAT HIM WITH THICK CABLE 
WIRE ALONG THE WAY.  S.V. SAID HE BELIEVES HE WAS THE 
LAST MAN SEVERELY BEATEN IN OMARSKA CAMP. 
 
¶18.  (U)  ALTHOUGH THE PRISONERS HAD MADE 120 BEDS, 
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THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SLEEP ON THEM, BUT HAD TO 
SLEEP ON THE FLOOR OF THE HALLWAY IN THAT BUILDING. 
ON AUGUST 12, INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS ARRIVED AT 
OMARSKA.  THE SERBS TOLD THE JOURNALISTS THAT THE 
PRISONERS THERE HAD BEEN HELD FOR TWO TO THREE WEEKS 
FOR INTERROGATION.  THE JOURNALISTS HAD BROUGHT ICRC 
REGISTRATION CARDS AND REGISTERED ALL THE PRISONERS. 
S.V. SAID THE REPORTERS TOLD THEM THAT THEY WERE NOW 
CITIZENS OF THE U.N.  THE PRISONERS WERE ALLOWED TO 
SLEEP ON THE BEDS FOR THREE NIGHTS.  ON AUGUST 21, 
ALL THE REMAINING PRISONERS IN OMARSKA WERE TAKEN TO 
MANJACA CAMP.  S.V. SAID THAT THE MEN WERE NO LONGER 
BEATEN REGULARLY AND SEVERELY FROM THAT POINT AND 
THAT THE ICRC CAME REGULARLY TO CHECK ON THEIR 
CONDITION AND BRING THEM FOOD. 
 
NEITZKE 
 
 
 
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