30 May 2013 - ICTY

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2004. In relation to Stanišić, the Trial Chamber finds, on the basis of the evidence
received, 4186 that Stanišić took part in preparatory meetings with high-ranking officials,
including President Milošević and Generals Mladić, Perišić, and Čeleketić, to discuss his and
Simatović’s involvement in Operation Pauk. Furthermore, Stanišić “represented” Serbia in the
Pauk Command, which took over from the SVK and, at least according to an SVK Colonel
Rašeta, Stanišić, and Novaković were, amongst other people, considered the “leaders” of
Operation Pauk. 4187 Furthermore, Novaković, acting as Commander of Operation Pauk,
addressed a combat report to Stanišić’s attention in July 1995. 4188 In this respect, the Trial
Chamber has also reviewed Intelligence Report P380, according to which the purpose of
Stanišić’s visit to Pauk was to direct “armed combat”, as well as Slobodan Lazarević’s
evidence on his impressions that Stanišić was ultimately responsible for the police forces and
the commanders. At the same time, the Trial Chamber notes that although Stanišić, referring
to the decision of the FRY and the VRS Supreme Command, informed Milovanović that he
was to take over the command of Operation Pauk from Novaković, Milovanović refused this
“order”. In this respect, the Trial Chamber is not convinced by Aco Drača’s testimony that he
would have indeed been present at, or at least informed about, each and every meeting
concerning the Pauk command.
2005. In relation to Simatović, based on the evidence of Witness JF-027 and Dejan Slišković,
the Trial Chamber finds that during the operation, Simatović met on at least a few occasions
with Božović and Legija, who addressed Frenki as “boss” and who were both commanding
Operational Groups under the Pauk Command. In light of the evidence of Witness JF-057, the
Trial Chamber finds that in the course of the operation, Arkan remained in regular telephone
contact with Simatović. The Trial Chamber has further considered the evidence of Witness
JF-057 that certain members of the SDG believed that Pauk was run under the supervision of
the DB. Finally, it has also considered, in this respect, the evidence of Slišković that the
Accused were present when Legija sought permission to attack Kladuša and that Simatović
addressed Legija’s query in this regard. In this respect, the Trial Chamber notes the Stanišić
Defence’s allegation that Slišković was lying, as he retreated from his account about Stanišić
being present during this meeting, when he recounted the story for the second time, in
4185 Stanišić Defence Final Trial Brief, 17 December 2012, paras 1045-1055; Simatović Defence Final Trial
Brief, 14 December 2012, paras 781-803.
4186 In particular exhibits P2536, P1285, and P380.
4187 Exhibit P382.
4188 Exhibit P1302.
Case No. IT-03-69-T 712
30 May 2013