Former Albanian Ambassador to the United States Roland Bimo has commented on developments ahead of the expected verdict by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
Speaking on Euronews Albania’s “Now,” Bimo said that enthusiasm over a possible acquittal should not be accompanied by excessive expectations, arguing that, in his view, the proceedings have a political character.
“Today we are enthusiastic, as if we are waiting for mercy, while the entire process is totally political and has nothing to do with the war,” Bimo said.
He argued that recent years have seen numerous efforts aimed at the “Europeanization of Serbia,” but said that, in his assessment, these initiatives have failed to produce the expected results. In this context, Bimo referred to events surrounding Ratko Mladić as one of the developments that, according to him, has made the situation clearer.
Addressing what could happen in The Hague, the former ambassador pointed to an interview with Professor Edward Joseph, describing it as an important reference point.
“As for what will happen tomorrow, the most important point of reference for me is the interview with Edward Joseph, who in July of this year gave an online interview and said: €500 million has been spent on this court, 18 years have passed, and there are dozens of judges,” Bimo said.
According to Bimo, the substantial costs of the proceedings could raise questions about expectations surrounding the outcome of the trial.
“Just these expenses create a certain concern for me, because they constitute a conscious or unconscious motivation for these people to be convicted,” he said.
Bimo added that an acquittal would also raise questions about how European institutions would justify the money spent on the proceedings to their taxpayers.
“If they were not convicted, then how could the EU justify, with a straight face, all this money spent to its own taxpayers?” Bimo concluded.
