ICJ dismisses Croatia's claim in its entirety

THE HAGUE - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague dismissed on Tuesday Croatia's claim against Serbia in its entirety, noting that Croatia failed to prove that genocide was committed in Croatia during the 1991-1995 war.

Croatia did not prove that there was the specific intent required for acts of genocide. Croatia's claim is dismissed in its entirety, says the reasoning behind the judgment read by ICJ President Peter Tomka.

Tomka said that Croatia failed to prove that the only conclusion that could be drawn from the conduct of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and Serbian forces in the territory of Croatia was that there was an intent to destroy Croats as a group.

Tomka said that the acts were not committed with "the specific intent required for acts of genocide", noting that the ICTY Prosecution had not accused anyone of genocide in the territory of Croatia from 1991 to 1995.

ICJ REJECTS SERBIA'S COUNTER-CLAIM IN ITS ENTIRETY

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) Tuesday rejected Serbia's counter-claim accusing Croatia of committing acts of genocide against Serbs in Croatia, concluding that Serbia could not provide proof there had been intent which characterizes genocide during and after Operation Storm.

The ICJ finds that it has not been proved that genocide was committed during and after Operation Storm against the Serb population of Croatia, Tomka said.

Croatia cannot be considered to have engaged in "conspiracy to commit genocide" or "direct and public incitement to commit genocide," he said.

Tomka said the Court therefore found that the counter-claim had be dismissed in its entirety.

FRY NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACTS PRIOR TO APRIL 27, 1992

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