Gotovina et al Judgement Volume I - ICTY

38620and to protect the area where the people were located. 5135 A report to the Chief of the VJMain Staff of 26 August 1995, which bears Mrkšić’s signature, noted that on 4 August1995, Mrkšić also ordered one battalion of the 75th Motorized Brigade to take controlof Bulina Strana by the morning of 5 August 1995 for the purpose of the defence ofKnin. 51361318. On 4 August 1995, an HV Main Staff intelligence report sent at 9:30 p.m., notedwith regard to the SVK Main Staff that the Knin leadership had abandoned the city inthe direction of Drvar, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, through Srb, in Donji Lapacmunicipality. 5137 The report further contained what it claimed was a copy of Mrkšić’sreport to the press, which stated that Knin was deserted, partly abandoned and thatcivilians were in shelters, while the men were at their battle positions. The allegedreport to the press further stated that it was difficult to psychologically endure thecontinuous shelling, particularly of the multiple rocket launchers, but that those in theKrajina would defend themselves to the end. 51381319. Mile Mrkšić further testified that he remained in the command centre until 10p.m., when the rocket fire subsided, the Main Staff left Knin and the commandproceeded to relocate to Srb. 5139 When he arrived at the corps command post at therailway station, Mrkšić issued instructions to stabilize the defence at the elevationsabove Knin. 5140 There was a view of the surrounding area from this post and it waspossible to direct fire at Knin and stop the further advance of the Croatian forces. 5141Martić stayed at the corps command post to rest and spent the night there, while Mrkšićmoved on to Srb to make sure that the system was set up and functioning. 5142Kovačević, commander of the 7th Corps, and his command post relocated again beforeMartić awoke. 51435135 Mile Mrkšić, T. 18949, 19083-19085.5136 Mile Mrkšić, T. 18766, 18808, 19141-19143; D923 (SVK Main Staff Report to Chief of VJ MainStaff, 26 August 1995), pp. 1, 8.5137 P2347 (Intelligence report of the HV Main Staff, compiled by Stjepan Vrančić, 4 August 1995), pp.1-2.5138 P2347 (Intelligence report of the HV Main Staff, compiled by Stjepan Vrančić, 4 August 1995), p. 3.5139 Mile Mrkšić, T. 19030, 19046, 19086-19087, 19090, 19096, 19104; D1516 (Report on the conduct ofcombat activities of the 7th Corps from 29 July to 6 August 1995, Slobodan Kovačević, 9 August 1995),p. 2.5140 Mile Mrkšić, T. 18977-18978, 19031, 19035, 19096.5141 Mile Mrkšić, T. 18977-18978.5142 Mile Mrkšić, T. 18949-18950, 18978, 19027, 19031, 19035, 19096.5143 Mile Mrkšić, T. 19035-19036; D1516 (Report on the conduct of combat activities of the 7th Corpsfrom 29 July to 6 August 1995, Slobodan Kovačević, 9 August 1995), p. 2.695Case No.: IT-06-90-T 15 April 2011 `