It would appear that the US isn’t the only nation struggling with the question of how to compensate the families of loved ones killed in a war of aggression:
A former judge in Yugoslavia’s highest military court has condemned the army over its handling of financial compensation for families of soldiers killed in the Kosovo conflict.
Jovan Buturovic has dismissed as paltry the army’s offer of the equivalent of 10,000 German Marks ($5,050) to bereaved families and accused it of obstructing damages claims.
“One has to pay 20,000 German Marks to kill a deer on a private estate,” said the former judge of the Supreme Military Court. “Parents are rightfully asking whether their sons are worth no more than half a deer.”
Families of fallen soldiers have begun to sue the army following the recent expiry of a moratorium on compensation introduced last April when the NATO bombardment was at its height.
Some plaintiffs are demanding compensation equivalent to up to two million German Marks.
Of course, given that we’re talking about a country with a virtually bankrupt economy, one could reasonably ask where the money is going to come from. Then again, given Serbia-Montenegro’s thriving black market, perhaps the Serbian Mafia would be willing to lend a hand? After all, it’s not like they’re paying taxes.
Personally, I’d be holding out for at least two cows….
