MILOSEVIC TRIAL: WITNESS ON RELATIONS AMONG CROATIAN SERBS

THE HAGUE, Sept 27 (Hina) - The first witness in the Croatian and Bosnian section of the ICTY's trial of Slobodan Milosevic on Friday described the political moves and relations among factions of Croatian Serbs in the early 1990s and their relationship with Belgrade. #L# The witness, called C-037, who is testifying with the full protection of his identity, was one of the leaders of the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) in western Slavonia. He described the process of the establishment of this Serb party in Croatia, subsequent break-ups among its factions and the process of the set-up of the so-called Serb autonomous areas (SAO) in Croatia and their connection with Bosnian Serbs and authorities in Serbia. The witness said the radical parts of the SDS opted for the cessation of negotiations with Zagreb and advocated secession from Croatia and joining with Bosnian Serbs and Serbia. These radical elements regarded Croats as unwelcome in the areas of the so-called Krajina, he added Asked about the mood of Serbs upon the establishment of new authorities in Zagreb, the witness said they were afraid. The testimony of this witness, which was on Friday often interrupted and some parts were held behind the closed door as a measure to protect his identity, will be resumed on Monday. Reporters who covered the testimony were able to quickly conclude from his testimony who this witness might be. The reporters, however, were told that they were not allowed to disclose his identity. At the beginning, the trial chamber's president, Richard May, orally warned the journalists. Later they were given a transcript of his decision with a copy of the rule book of the tribunal which stipulates a sentence of up to seven years of imprisonment and a fine of up to 100,000 euros for contempt of the court. (hina) ms