War Hospital
Page 45
CHAPTER 19: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
Interviews
Dr. Sead Ahmetagić, Sadik Ahmetović, Dr. Louisa Chan-Boegli, Dr. Eric Dachy, Dr. Radomir Davidović, Larry Hollingworth, Fatima Klempić-Dautbašić, Dr. Boro Lazić, Sanja Lazić, Dr. Mehdin Hadžiselimović, Danijela Lazić, Hakija Meholjić, Dr. Nedret Mujkanović, Dr. Miroslav Oprić, Dr. Lazer Prodanović, General Hazim šadić, Chuck Sudetic, Hans Ulens
Published Literature
Agence France-Presse, November 3, 1991 (“At least 25 dead in new violence in Croatia”), November 21, 1993, November 28, 1993 (“Bosnian Serbs attack on several fronts : radio”); BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, January 10, 1992 (“Bosnia-Hercegovina in brief; Fifth Serbian autonomous region set up in Bosnia-Hercegovina,” Yugoslav News Agency), April 30, 1993 (“Bodies of 19 reportedly massacred Serbs exhumed in Bosanski Brod,” Yugoslav Telegraph Service); Duizings, History, Memory and Politics in Eastern Bosnia, Chapter 3 (for history of šekovići); The Economist, April 4, 1992 (“Bosnia and Hercegovina; All mixed up”); Glasgow Herald, April 20, 1993 (article by Laura Pitter); The Guardian, April 19, 1993 (article by Ian Traynor); Ivanisevic, Hronika, pp. 51–52, 82–83, 172–173, 179–180, 294–305; Maass, Love Thy Neighbor, pp. 242–247; Newsday, May 10, 1993 (“From Bosnia to Bianca, Jagger saves dying child from war zone,” by Gale Scott); New York Times, April 21, 1993 (article by Chuck Sudetic), April 24, 1993 (“Conflict in the Balkans; a view of the Bosnia war from the Srebrenica Hospital’s O.R.,” by Chuck Sudetic); Orić, Srebrenica, p. 165 (final battle for Srebrenica before safe area declared); Mašić, Srebrenica, pp. 63, 100, 124, 138; Sudetic, Blood and Vengeance, p. 157; Washington Post, April 23, 1993. (“Binding Up the Wounds; Bosnian Surgeon Recounts Life Under Siege” by Peter Maass).
Documents
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, “The Prosecutor of the Tribunal Against Dragan Nikolić,” Case IT-94-2-PT. Second amended indictment, January 2, 2002 (Commander of the Sušica camp in Vlasenica, arrested April 20, 2000, original indictment was November 4, 1994). International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Case IT-01-51-I, Bosnia and Herzegovina initial indictment,” November 22, 2001, “The Prosecutor of the Tribunal Against Slobodan Milošević”; International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Case IT-98-33, indictment October 27, 1999, “The Prosecutor of the Tribunal against Vinko Pandurević”; UN document UN-S/1994/548 (details of September 1992 Podravanje offensive from Serb side). Census figures for šekovići and Vlasenica are from the March 31, 1991, census, “Statistićki bilten” No. 234, DZS BiH, Sarajevo, as presented by the Bosnian Congress USA, http://www.hdmagazine.com/bosnia/census.html (accessed 3/4/03) and Den Krieg Uberleben (Bonn, Germany) http://refugees.atvirtual.net/de/1991/buh_1991.html (accessed 3/4/03). UN document S/1994/674/Add.2 (Vol. IV) 28 December 1994: Final Report of the UN Commission of Experts on the former Yugoslavia, Established Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 780 (1992), Volume 4, Annex 8, Section 85 (Vlasenica).
Other Materials
The film Death of Yugoslavia, Part V (footage of Elie Wiesel at Holocaust Memorial opening, April 22, 1993).
Notes
PAGE 182 Slowly, the barrage of media stories about atrocities against Serbs… An independent Serbian journalist, Miloš Vasić, wrote in the March 15, 1993, New Yorker that it was as if all television in the United States had been taken over by the Ku Klux Klan. “You too would have war in five years.”
PAGE 197 Boro and Nedret continue to plan meetings… The date that the negotiations ended is remembered inexactly and somewhat differently by Nedret and Boro, and I have no supporting documentation on the negotiations. There was a major Serb offensive in the area (Teočak) that began about November 18, 1993. A smaller offensive had been rebuffed on June 16, 1993.
CHAPTER 20: TO INTERPOSE
Interviews
Danijela Cerović, Muriel Cornelis, Dr. Eric Dachy, Dr. Martin De Smet, Judith Kumin, Hans Ulens
Published Literature
Atlanta Constitution, July 1, 1993 (about sanitation situation in Srebrenica); Malcolm, Bosnia, pp. 250–1 (the end to the air strike threat in 1993); The New York Times, April 26, 1993 (“U.N. visitors say Srebrenica is ‘an open jail’,” by Paul Lewis)
Documents
Eric Dachy’s unpublished recollections.
Unpublished memo of the MSF Yugoslavia Task Force dated April 16, 1993, details what Eric’s colleagues believed he was thinking in the days before Srebrenica’s demilitarization agreement.
U.N. Security Council Resolutions pertaining to Srebrenica: SRES 819, April 16, 1993 (text of U.N. Security Council Resolution designated Srebrenica a “safe area”), SRES 824 May 6, 1993 (established six “safe areas” in Bosnia), SRES 836, June 4, 1993 (invoked Chapter 7 of U.N. charter to extend UNPROFOR’s mandate to peace enforcement, giving it qualified authorization to use force to “deter attacks” and authorizing U.N. member states to support U.N. forces militarily), SRES 844, June 18, 1993 (authorized additional 7,600 troops for UNPROFOR). Also, text of the discussions prior to adoption of these Resolutions. Other U.N. documents: S/25800 May 19, 1993 (text of French report to the Security Council about safe areas).
MSF documents: Unpublished report of MSF anesthesiologist Dr. Norbert Scholzen. Copy of letter dated May 1, 1993, from Eric Dachy to Diego Arria. Copy of a draft of letter dated May 1, 1993, from Eric Dachy to Radovan Karadžić.
Unpublished internal MSF situation reports of Hans Ulens, June 16 and 27, 1993 (about water situation). Urgent message from Hans Ulens to Eric Dachy May 26, 1993 (warning that Srebrenica may fall without water). Other internal unpublished MSF reports and cables about water situation including MSF Srebrenica activity report covering July–October 1993. Unpublished MSF mission report by Stefaan Maddens. Unpublished internal communications (faxes) between Eric Dachy and representatives of MSF Holland about Goražde and other coordination issues dated June 17, 18, and 22, 1993.
Anesthesia records found in Srebrenica Hospital were used to confirm dates that MSF surgeons and anesthesiologists were in Srebrenica.
Report of the Secretary-General Pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 53/35 (1998), “UN Srebrenica Report,” Sections 29–32 (Vance-Owen Peace Plan), 111 (interpretation of the criteria for NATO air power)
Other Materials
The film Death of Yugoslavia, showing Karadžić signing the Vance-Owen peace plan.
Notes
PAGE 201 Eric’s storm cloud of anger needs a release. Eric Dachy fax message to Alain Devaux, April 20, 1993.
PAGE 201 As for the “demilitarization of Srebrenica”… The ceasefire agreement, signed by the two Bosnian generals and witnessed by General Wahlgren on April 18, 1993, includes the clause: “…All weapons, ammunition, mines, explosives and combat supplies (except medicines) inside Srebrenica will be submitted/handed over to UNPROFOR under the supervision of three officers from each side with control carried out by UNPROFOR. No armed person or units except UNPROFOR will remain within the city once the demilitarization process is complete….”
PAGE 202 The next week, ceasefire violations send more wounded into the hospital… Reported in the Ottawa Citizen, April 29, 1993 (“War in the Balkans; 56 Canadians make it into Srebrenica; Bosnian Serbs insist town has not yet been completely disarmed,” AP/Reuters).
PAGE 202 The fact that five Serbian soldiers were able to defy… U.N. Document S/25700, “UN Security Council Mission Report to Srebrenica,” April 30, 1993.
PAGE 204 The leader of the Canadian House… “Canadians not ordered to defend Muslim town; Tory minister sees no immediate threat to 150 troops in Srebrenica,” Terrance Wills, (Montreal) Gazette, April 24, 1993.
PAGE 205 “While this option cannot, in itself, completely guarantee the defence of the safe areas… ”UN Document S/25939, Secretary-General’s Report to the UN Security Council, which was adopted.
PAGE 208 In June, a reporter catches up with Eric… “Aid workers also find themselves
on front lines,” Elizabeth Sullivan, Plain Dealer, June 13, 1993.
CHAPTER 21: LIFE IN THE TOMB
Interviews
Dr. Ejub Alić, Dr. Neak Duong, Dr. Martin De Smet, Graziella Godain, Dr. Mehdin Hadžiselimović (“Mad Max”), Dr. Avdo Hasanović, Damir Ibrahimovic, Dr. Fatima Klempić-Dautbašić, Judith Kumin, Isabel Ollieuz, Fahreta Omić, Dr. Ilijaz Pilav, Naim Salkić, Nijaz Salkić, Rahima Tursunović-Ibrahimović, Hans Ulens
Published Literature
Celebije, Putopis; Malcolm, Bosnia, pp. 121–2 (about the “Dragon of Bosnia”); Sudetic, Blood and Vengeance, p. 243–245.
Documents
The original Srebrenica Hospital anesthesia record forms for this period (found in the hospital in 1999) show the date and time of operations, patient information, and a list of physicians involved in each surgery. These were used to confirm the nature of Ilijaz’s surgical experiences. Srebrenica’s delivery record notebook was used to confirm details of deliveries. Srebrenica’s obstetrics nursing notebook from this period was used to confirm details of the premature baby’s birth and care.
MSF unpublished internal documents: Letter from Hans Ulens to Col. Angstrom December 19, 1993, about generator and fuel needs. Debriefing report of Jean-Paul Taziaux (surgeon) and Eric Coppie from June 6, 1993, stating that Dr. Mehdin Hadžiselimović wishes to return to Tuzla. Report of activities of MSF Srebrenica team July 12–August 12 by Martin De Smet crediting Mehdin with reorganizing the hospital. Letter asking that Mehdin be allowed to leave Srebrenica written August 3, 1993, by Dr. Genevieve Begkoyian (Eric’s replacement) and sent to Rick Garlock of UNHCR Belgrade with an attached letter written August 2, 1993, and signed by Dr. Martin De Smet (medical coordinator of MSF Srebrenica), Ruth Huber (ICRC Delegate Srebrenica), and Jose Luis Loera (UNHCR field officer Srebrenica). Mission reports of Dr. Sergei Zotikov, dated December 14 and 24, 1993, detail the surgical activity in Srebrenica throughout the summer and fall of 1993. MSF reports dated January 10 and 25, 1994, discuss Ilijaz’s growing abilities and stress the continued need for an MSF expatriate surgeon. Report of Paul Lavollee contains a note about problems with obstetrical care in the enclave in December 1993–January 1994. Report by Dr. Simon Moore, January 1994, details the medical work being performed in Srebrenica’s hospital and clinics and mentions the psychiatric problems in the enclave. MSF report on August 1, 1993, states that no salt has been delivered since May. Problems with Medevacs are discussed in: MSF Srebrenica situation report #7 (dated January 8, 1994), Srebrenica monthly report October 1994, letter from MSF Belgrade to MSF Srebrenica team June 26, 1995, and the UNHCR Srebrenica weekly situation report January 4, 1994. There were no Medevacs from October 1993 to July 1994, when approximately 19 people were evacuated. MSF Srebrenica April and June 1994 monthly reports and May 1994 population study as well as the Dutchbat surgical activity report of June 1994 discuss abortions, botched abortions, and birth control. A July 9, 1995, situation report discusses the need for IUDs and reports five “criminal abortions” for the week at a cost of 100 Deutschemarks each. End of mission report of Neak Duong covers period of January 26 to July 9, 1994.
UNPROFOR Civil Affairs, Sector NE, report on a trip to Srebrenica September 21–24, 1994, relates the work of the Joint Demilitarization Commission and failure to set exact boundaries for the Srebrenica safe area, and also discusses the ‘mafia’ situation and tensions between original Srebrenica inhabitants and displaced villagers.
Web sites consulted about the linden tree: (accessed 5/10/02): www.magdalin.com/herbal/plants-page, butler.edu/herbarium/linden.htm (Butler University Friesner Herbarium web site), and enature.com.
Other Materials
Videotape footage of the operation on July 6, 1994 (given as a going-away gift to Dr. Neak Duong).
Notes
PAGE 213 A raucous outdoor party is held… “Mad Max” (Dr. Mehdin HadŽiselimović) asserts that he was coerced into going to Srebrenica by the Bosnian army under pressure from the United Nations and ICRC. According to a letter supporting his departure signed by representatives of MSF, UNHCR, and ICRC in Srebrenica on August 2, 1993, he was brought from Tuzla to Srebrenica by helicopter because of the urgent need for a surgeon and was promised that everything would be done to effect his evacuation whenever he expressed his desire to return to his family, with the hopes that he’d be replaced by one or more other Bosnian doctors. At this point, he had been asking to leave for over a month and had a five-months-pregnant wife and three-year-old son at home.
PAGE 220 “Thus,” the report says… Sudetic, Blood and Vengeance, p. 243, quoting from Bosnian government’s copy of a Yugoslav army document written March 3, 1992, by General Kukanjac, “Odbrambene snage,” SFRJ, pov. Br. 546.
PAGE 222 Since then, Ilijaz has found himself… Ironically, Ilijaz was the only one of Srebrenica’s doctors to oppose abortions and refuse to perform them—on account of personal (rather than religious) beliefs about the sanctity of life.
PAGE 222 The women bring him offerings of cigarettes, coffee, and plum brandy. Payment for abortions was the norm before the war, and during the war, other Srebrenica doctors besides Avdo Hasanović accepted money and gifts in exchange for performing them and also for circumcising babies.
PAGE 228 Going-away parties for MSF staff are fancy affairs… The description of the party in this section is based partly on photographs taken the summer of 1994. It’s not clear if it was Dr. Neak’s going-away party or a party celebrating some other occasion.
PAGE 230 Lindens are blooming… Translation of Lipe Cvatu, by Goran Bregović 1984. www.bisonmusic.com/zabe/brumovinotes.
PAGE 232 “Why are you expelling my guys from the hospital?” This exchange is based entirely on the recollection of Dr. Ilijaz Pilav.
CHAPTER 22: ANOTHER WORLD
Interviews
Dr. Sead Ahmetagić, Dr. Ejub Alić, Dr. Neak Duong, Elvira Duraković, Samira Duraković, Dr. Dževad Džananović, Hadžo Gadžo, Mensur Gadžo, Dr. Avdo Hasanović, Damir Ibrahimović, Dr. Gerry Kremer, Dr. Benjamin Kulovac, Dr. Irfanka Pašagić, Dr. Ilijaz Pilav, Dr. Wim Wertheim
Published Literature
NIOD Report: III/6/24 discusses military purpose of Bosnian helicopter flights and the shortage of weapons and military knowledge in Srebrenica; III/6/7 discusses NATO air strikes and UNPROFOR hostages used as human shields in May, 1995; III/2/4 and 5 describe the targeting of Captain Scott O’Grady’s F-16 with an SA-6 system; III/1 covers the debate over whether UNPROFOR should pull out of Bosnia.
Westmoreland et al., Medical Neurosciences, pp. 116–118 (about increased intracranial pressure). Mašić, Srebrenica, pp. 187–188 (covers the helicopter crash), 177 (story of the ambush near Srebrenica, which Mašić says occured on May 31, rather than June 1 as other sources have it). Honig and Both, Srebrenica, pp. 118–137 (history of Dutchbat in Srebrenica and its increasing difficulties in 1995). Kremer, “Medical neutrality in crisis control areas,” Medisch Contact, #45, November 8, 1996 (reviews Dutchbat medical work in Srebrenica and the case of the comatose woman). Holbrooke, To End a War, pp. 65–67, describes the U.S.’s major military commitment in the event that UNPROFOR pulled out of Bosnia.
Documents
Diary of a local (who wishes to remain anonymous) describing the helicopter crash. Anesthesia records of Srebrenica Hospital on day of Fatima’s injury. Report of the Secretary-General Pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 53/35 (1998), “UN Srebrenica Report”: Section 43 (describes how troop-contributing countries opposed robust military action resulting in a “lowest common denominator” response to atrocities), Sections 114–116 (the proposals to exchange Srebrenica and Žepa for Serb-held territory around Sarajevo), Section 222 (describes movements between Srebrenica and Žepa), Section 223 (June 1, 1995, Serb ambush and taking of the southern tip of the enclave, including Dutch surrender of OP Echo), Section 125 (difficulty of finding U.N. troops for safe areas), Section 233 (worsening humanitarian situation in Srebrenica by June 1995 and inability of Dutchbat to re
spond). MSF internal documents: MSF Srebrenica monthly report for October 1994 reports that Ilijaz is increasingly depressed, and he made and aborted plans to leave the enclave; July 7, 1994, Srebrenica interagency meeting agenda discusses goods and people being smuggled in and out of the enclave; May 13, 1994, MSF report about helicopter crash; MSF Srebrenica weekly situation report #21, May 27, 1995, describes Fatima’s wounding and military activity in and around Srebrenica.
European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM) Weekly Report for May 4–11, 1995, tells of Bosnian Serb army shelling of Bosnian government military facility outside of Sarajevo.
Report of the Dutch Parliamentary Inquiry into Srebrenica, January 2003, describes the Dutch decision to send troops to Srebrenica.
International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, case IT-98-33, “Prosecutor v. Radislav Krstić,” text of the August 2, 2001 judgement (from here on referred to as “Krstić judgment”) describes Dutchbat’s shrinking forces in early 1995 and the Dutchbat decision to allow Srebrenica forces to occupy shadow positions around observation posts.
Other Materials
Photograph of helicopter crash site (Mašić, Srebrenica, p. 167); Videotape footage taken by Dutchbat’s Dr. Gerry Kremer of the comatose patient in spring 1995 and of Fatima performing procedures at the Dutchbat hospital in Potočari, making good on her internal promise to do more surgery.
Notes
PAGES 233–234 International tension over Bosnia is high. Report of the Secretary-General Pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 53/35 (1998), “UN Srebrenica Report,” Section 124. Refers to the commander of UNPROFOR Bosnia-Herzegovina Command, who departed in December 1993.