USA ON POSSIBLE OFFICIALS' TESTIMONIES IN MILOSEVIC TRIAL

WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Hina) - The American government will decide about allowing some of the high ranking diplomatic officials testify before the Hague-based international war crimes tribunal in the Milosevic trial if and when it receives such a request, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said on Wednesday. Asked about the US administration's stance regarding the intention made by former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic that he would call several western heads of state and officials as witnesses, Boucher said every one of his requests would be considered when it is made. Milosevic mentioned the possibility of asking for former US president Bill Clinton, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and several other heads of state and diplomats to take the stand as witnesses in his trial. Former OSCE Mission head in Kosovo, William Walker, said he was prepared to testify against Milosevic if the tribunal asks so. Holbrooke also said he was ready to testify against Milosevic. Both American diplomats said they would respond to a request by the tribunal to testify, but said nothing about Milosevic's intentions. (hina) lml