Milosevic Faces Two Trials: On Kosovo Crimes And Bosnian, Croat Tragedies

Two trials will be held against Slobodan Milosevic, former Yugoslav president, now that the 3rd Chamber judges of the international tribunal for former Yugoslavia turned down an application by Carla del Ponte, tribunal top prosecutor, to pool in his three files for one trial. The board of judges deems it necessary to try the Kosovo crimes separately, hearings to start February 12. The two other indictments--gory events in Croatia and warfare in Bosnia-Herzegovina--will come up for another trial, the date not appointed for now. The latter indictment advances charges of genocide and complicity in genocide--the gravest of all accusations the Hague tribunal can advance, threatening the suspect with life imprisonment. Extremely uncooperative, ex-President Milosevic does not think the international tribunal is a legal institution at all. He refused to say anything when asked whether he was pleading his guilt. The minutes reported him pleading innocent.