Due to the memory of Slobodan Milosevic’s arrest 20 years ago, and to different memories and interpretations of that historical event, a lively controversy broke out between the former and current flagships of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS).
Branislav Ivkovic, who was in Villa Mir during the drama during Milosevic’s surrender, told current SPS leader Ivica Dacic that he had better be quiet and accused him of not being with Milosevic when necessary. Dacic says for Kurir that this is not true and announces that he will publish the list of people who betrayed Milosevic, which Mira Markovic gave him after 2006 and his takeover of the SPS.
How you were chosen in the SPS
Ivkovic publicly asked Dacic why he held a session of the SPS Municipal Board “at a time when all of Serbia knew that I had said from the podium what was happening in front of Slobin’s village and was leading the 37 deputies.”
– He continued to elect himself as president of the CSO and its vice presidents, and only then did he come and disappear after the painting. Where it disappeared, let me say, and I know where it went. You better keep quiet. He is part of the team that Mira Markovic set up to expel me from the SPS, because she wanted to govern with the SPS … She formed the government with the same DOS in 2004, with the same Kostunica, who agreed with us the majority – Ivkovic said to TV Pink.
Take Fila reveals
Look she’s not a wimp, Sloba sold for 60 million
photo: Zorana Jevtić
Toma Fila, Milosevic’s lawyer, says that Mira Markovic “was in a world of her own, flowers, butterflies …”.
– He lived in a world of his own. But she was never a coward. She was aggressive, ready to fight to the end – said Fila. He reiterated that the then government received 50 million dollars from foreigners for the arrest of Milosevic, and that he was “sold to The Hague” for 60 million dollars.
Who was where
Dacic, however, recalls that he did not lead the party when Milosevic was extradited to The Hague, and reveals what Milosevic’s wife told him after that.
– Look Markovic, whom Bane knew much better than me, he left it to me, I’ll show you when the time comes, the list of people who, in his opinion, betrayed Milosevic. I saw her later, when it was all over and we cleared up all those things. She told me: “I don’t blame you for anything, I never supported you, but I blame those I created.” I don’t know why Bane Ivković is so nervous. As for the exclusion of the SPS, Milosevic asked for it, saying that he was at the head of the fifth column. I never called Ivković that because I did not agree with that assessment. And that is why Bane Ivković should choose words when he talks about me – said Dačić adding that at the time of Milošević’s arrest, he was at the gate of Villa Mir with his wife Sanja and the people.
Siniša Vučinić on the events of 2001
Milutinovic betrayed
photo: Marina Lopicic
Milosevic was betrayed by Milan Milutinovic, a socialist and later president of Serbia. This is stated by Sinisa Vucinic, a member of the JUL Directorate and Milosevic’s head of security during the dramatic events of March 2001. Vucinic says he was called in those days, but that Milutinovic did not respond at first and then recovered.
– I told him: “Come urgently, here you are important”, and he said “Well, I can’t, you don’t know that my heart hurts” – Vucinic said.
