Milosevic’s divisive impact on foreign affairs will continue in spite of his death. Not only will the cause of his death be the subject of much controversy, but historians will be arguing about his legacy for decades to come.

For Croatian people the death of Milosevic, which occurred during his trial at the Hague, will leave behind a legacy of injustice. Croatian victims are still waiting for crumbs at the table of international justice, such as the apology of Milan Babic who also recently died suddenly at the Hague. The 150 year old era of Yugoslavism which became politicized in feudal Croatia is at last over with the death of Milosevic.

For the Hague itself the death of Milosevic has exposed its flawed structure and legal process. For its critics, the Hague is now open-season. A pattern is emerging of Bolshevik-style show trials and mysterious deaths in prison cells of former communists who are past their use-by-date. Of course Milosevic’s Bolshevik connections are almost never mentioned in the media.

For some journalists in the media, the death of Milosevic has already created an opportunity to deliver a verdict in place of the Hague, and to further introduce propaganda about Croatia’s alleged ‘equal guilt’. A political divide will now appear in the media between those who would defend Milosevic and those who were against him.

Jean Lunt Marinovic

Melbourne, 12 March 2006

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