President Obama is hailing the arrest of Ratko Mladic, the former Serbian military commander accused of genocide in the bloodiest war fought in Europe since World War II:
Fifteen years ago, Ratko Mladic ordered the systematic execution of some 8,000 unarmed men and boys in Srebrencia. Today, he is behind bars. I applaud President Tadic and the Government of Serbia on their determined efforts to ensure that Mladic was found and that he faces justice. We look forward to his expeditious transfer to The Hague.
Mladic was the highest-ranking war crimes suspect to remain at large from the wars that accompanied the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. His arrest in Serbia followed a three-year investigation, President Boris Tadic said in a dramatic and hastily announced news conference in Belgrade.
Full statement from Obama after the jump.
Statement by the President on the Arrest of Ratko Mladic
Fifteen years ago, Ratko Mladic ordered the systematic execution of some 8,000 unarmed men and boys in Srebrencia. Today, he is behind bars. I applaud President Tadic and the Government of Serbia on their determined efforts to ensure that Mladic was found and that he faces justice. We look forward to his expeditious transfer to The Hague.
Today is an important day for the families of Mladic’s many victims, for Serbia, for Bosnia, for the United States, and for international justice. While we will never be able to bring back those who were murdered, Mladic will now have to answer to his victims, and the world, in a court of law. From Nuremberg to the present, the United States has long viewed justice for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide as both a moral imperative and an essential element of stability and peace. In Bosnia, the United States – our troops and our diplomats – led the international effort to end ethnic cleansing and bring a lasting peace. On this important day, we recommit ourselves to supporting ongoing reconciliation efforts in the Balkans and to working to prevent future atrocities. Those who have committed crimes against humanity and genocide will not escape judgment.
May the families of Mladic’s victims find some solace in today’s arrest, and may this deepen the ties among the people of the region.
And when is america,UK,EU going to extradite its war criminals? Bosnian muslims such as Naser Oric,Atif Dudakovic? Croatia and Serbia gave their but the muslim sides Bosnia and Albania refuse to stop their terrorist ways. They are know to work with the Muyaheedins so why support them over Serbs wich saved my WW2 aviator grandfather? Operation Halyard is not to be forgoten,hail that Obama!