Croatia Passes Turkey in EU Bid

Croatia's bid to join the EU is progressing smoothly, while Turkey has suffered a setback at the hands of the French.

Croatia began negotiation in six of the 35 policy areas they are required to address for EU membership. They are already in the process of meeting four and have completed two others. This leaves Croatia on pace to join the EU as early as 2009.

Turkey meanwhile was only able to begin negotiations on two new areas, which France blocking a third. They have only completed one area thus far.

Buying Immunity?

Jacob "Kobi" Alexander was out of the US when he learned he was going to be indicted on various fraud charges in connection with backdating stock options in June of 2006. Instead of returning to the country to face the charges he made his way to Namibia where he was caputred by Interpol in September 2006. By this time the wealthy found of Comverse Technology had already transferred $40 million into an Israeli bank account and since has allegedly put $12 million of that in Namibian banks. He has bought a house in Namibia and pledged to spend millions in investment, including hundreds of thousands in scholarships.

Meanwhile, his extradition hearing has been rescheduled numerous times, leading many to wonder if Alexander has been able to buy enough support in Namibia to eventually avoid extradition altogether. Alexander's attorneys claim they need more time to research extradition law. They are also busy trying to get the person appointed to hear the case, the Chief of Lower Courts, removed because he is "not a magistrate."

Alexander's hearing is now scheduled for July 9, but one is left to wonder if he can throw around enough money to avoid it altogether.

ICTY Sentences Martic to 35 Years

The International Criminal Tribunal - Yugoslavia has sentenced former Croatian rebel leader Milan Martic to 35 years for his part in the ethnic cleansing of non-Serbs. Martic was found guilty of 16 counts of various war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and persecution, committed during the 1991-1995 efforts to create a unified Serb state.

End of Impunity for World Leaders

The Economist has a nice article about the end of impunity for world leaders accused of committing crimes against humanity. There has been a lot of progress in trying and convicting these types of offenders in the last few years and it looks like there will be more accountability in the future. Hopefully the International Criminal Court will be successful in trying and punishing Thomas Lubanga for his use of child soldiers in the Congo. If they are able to handle their first case smoothly it could open the door for many more prosecutions.