Milosevic may call on Clinton to give evidence
Slobodan Milosevic may attempt to force former US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair to give evidence at his genocide trial.
The former Yugoslav president and his legal advisers are preparing strategy for his trial, which opens next week at the UN court in The Hague.
He is charged with genocide and crimes against humanity in the former Yugoslav republics of Croatia and Bosnia and the province of Kosovo.
‘‘Anybody who knows the truth can be asked to testify, and these include any number of relevant people who are or were in important positions in Yugoslavia as well as in foreign countries,’’ said lawyer Zdenko Tomanovic.
He declined to name possible witnesses, but Yugoslav and foreign media have speculated they could include former US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Milosevic was extradited in June by the new, democratic leadership that replaced him in Yugoslavia. He has refused to recognise the court, arguing it is biased and political.
‘‘Milosevic is firm in his decision not to recognise the court,’’ said lawyer Dragoslav Ognjanovic, another Milosevic adviser.
When the trial opens - ‘‘he will give an opening speech to address the world public. We hope that judges will not limit his time,’’ Ognjanovic said.
