MILOSEVIC: I SHOULD BE GIVEN CREDIT FOR PEACE IN BOSNIA

THE HAGUE, Dec 11 (Hina) - Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic on Tuesday declined to enter a plea to charges at the U.N. war crimes tribunal (ICTY) of genocide against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the 1992-95 Bosnian war. "I would like to say to you that what we have just heard, this tragic text, is a supreme absurdity. I should be given credit for peace in Bosnia not war," Milosevic said when asked to enter a plea. Milosevic who, during the reading of the indictments for Croatia and Kosovo in late October, visibly overwrought said the Tribunal was boring him with the marathon reading of papers written on the level of a retarded seven-year-old, was listening the indictment being read without any facial expressions. About 50 reporters were present at the hearing. The court's presiding judge Richard May entered a "not guilty" plea on behalf of Milosevic to 29 counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity and other war crimes by Serb forces in Bosnia. The indictment for genocide is the gravest indictment against him to date. Ex-Yugoslav head of state has been in the Tribunal's custody since June 29, when Serbian authorities turned him over. The court was adjourned for 30 minutes before resuming to hear pre- trial motions. (hina) it