KOSTUNICA: MILOSEVIC'S HAND-OVER WOULD DESTABILISE YUGOSLAVIA

ZAGREB, Jan 24 (Hina) - The hand-over of the former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) would destabilise Yugoslavia, Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica told the Wednesday issue of the International Herald Tribune (IHT). In a phone interview ahead of yesterday's meeting with ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte, Kostunica accused del Ponte of wishing to destabilise his country with extradition requests. The ICTY chief prosecutor wants the Yugoslav authorities to hand Milosevic and other indictees over to the Hague tribunal. The negative reaction of the Yugoslav leadership was most probably the main cause of del Ponte's dissatisfaction and her refusal to give a statement after a one-hour meeting with Kostunica in Belgrade. Kostunica told the IHT that he would like to see Milosevic put on trial in Belgrade, before a Yugoslav court. He also said he would not accept cooperation with del Ponte or offer information on the whereabouts of other war crimes suspects residing in Serbia. A statement issued by Kostunica's office after the meeting with del Ponte on Tuesday night read the two sides perceived the "framework of cooperation between Yugoslavia and the ICTY" differently. It is also said the Yugoslav president "has pointed to the danger" that indictments against "most Serbian political and military leaders, as well as the fact that most indictments were against Serbs, may be interpreted as ascribing collective guilt to a nation, although the Tribunal has been formally insisting on the individualisation of responsibility." Asked whether Belgrade would provide information for war crimes investigators, Kostunica said such cooperation would not be based on "the Magna Carta or the US Constitution." Instead of this, Kostunica announced the establishment of a "commission for truth" which would investigate the Milosevic regime. He reiterated that "there must be rules regarding cooperation with The Hague" as well as that he would rather see Milosevic "stand trial for war crimes and domestic charges here, at home." Del Ponte's hand-over request has been supported by the European Union and the United States. The EU on Monday urged Belgrade to cooperate fully with the Hague tribunal whereas the US stand is that all war crimes suspects should be handed over to the Hague tribunal. The Yugoslav president faces major opposition in the country as regards cooperation with the ICTY. Milosevic's Serbian Socialist Party and the Serbian Radical Party, led by Vojislav Seselj, have slammed del Ponte's visit to Belgrade describing her insistence on Milosevic's apprehension as 'impudent.' Seselj's radicals oppose any talks with ICTY representatives claiming that "the ICTY's sole aim is to denigrate and destroy the Serb people." Most parties from the Yugoslav opposition coalition have "cautiously reserved comment," whereas the Social-Democratic Union, led by Zivko Korac, was the only one to welcome del Ponte's visit. Yugoslav Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic said on Wednesday after his talks with del Ponte Milosevic should be tried before domestic courts. It has been announced that tomorrow, on the last day of her visit to Belgrade, del Ponte will hold a news conference and present her stand regarding the talks with Yugoslav officials. (hina) sb rml