BELGRADE, Jan 13 (Hina) - The Yugoslav government has suggested to the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal's prosecution (ICTY) that a former Serbian President Milan Milutinovic, an ICTY indictee, be allowed to defend himself in
freedom, and this request will be officially forwarded by the Serbian government, Serbian Premier Zoran Djindjic said.
BELGRADE, Jan 13 (Hina) - The Yugoslav government has suggested to
the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal's prosecution (ICTY) that a
former Serbian President Milan Milutinovic, an ICTY indictee, be
allowed to defend himself in freedom, and this request will be
officially forwarded by the Serbian government, Serbian Premier
Zoran Djindjic said. #L#
"I am sure that Serbia and Milutinovic deserve at least that. Thanks
to his constructive conduct, Milutinovic has made it possible for
Serbia to have a peaceful transfer of office of the head of state
after more than 50 years," Djindjic said in an interview with the
"Vecernje Novosti" daily on Monday.
"It would be best if Ratko Mladic's (also wanted by the ICTY) close
aides persuaded him to go to on his own to The Hague. Where he could
say everything he wants to say and defend himself and the struggle
he led. Only in this way can he be a true hero, as he would remove a
huge burden from the shoulders of his people and Serbia, with regard
to claims that he is on Serbian territory. At the moment, the entire
nation is being held hostage, and the completion of the ICTY
processes is being postponed," the Serbian PM said.
Yugoslav and Serbian officials have recently announced that
Milutinovic is likely to fly to the Hague this week.
(hina) ms