The following statement has been issued by George Bogdanich, director of the new documentary “Yugoslavia, the Avoidable War” (opening in New York on March 15 at the Two Boots Pioneer Theater):
“We have learned that excerpts of my film ‘Yugoslavia: The Avoidable War,’ which documents the role of West in the tragic breakup of Yugoslavia have been shown by the defense at the trial of Slobodan Milosevic, which is currently underway in The Hague. ^ I believe it is important to distance the film and criticize its selective use by the Milosevic defense. As co-producers of “Yugoslavia The Avoidable War,” we are dismayed by the selective use of our critical documentary by the Milosevic defense team. While our comprehensive 165 minute documentary does indeed break new ground by faulting Western countries for providing diplomatic recognition and military support (including illegal arms) to armed separatists, we also criticize the ruthless opportunism of Slobodan Milosevic, who exploited ethnic grievances to advance his own career. Like his counterparts Franjo Tudjman in Croatia, Alija Izetbegovic in Bosnia and Albanian separatist leader Hashim Thaci, Milosevic bears resposibility for the bloodshed in the breakup of Yugoslavia. Milosevic speaks of the “will of the people” to justify, among other things, the enrichment of his own family while Yugoslav citizens endured war and deprivation.”
For more info on “Yugoslavia, the Avoidable War,” visit the film’s web site is at Avoidable War.com.
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