Slobodan Milosevic called on judges to subpoena former U.S. President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday, saying he would like them to testify at his war crimes trial by Christmas. The former Yugoslav president, charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Balkans in the 1990s, opened his defense in August in what is seen as Europe's most significant war crimes trial since the end of World War II. Milosevic asked for The Hague tribunal to also summon German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, former German Defense Minister Rudolf Scharping, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and retired U.S. General Wesley Clark, who directed the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia. Milosevic, who has been on trial in The Hague since February 2002 charged with ethnic cleansing in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo, said he had done the groundwork by sending letters to embassies and providing clarification when asked why he wanted the witnesses to give evidence during his defense case. "By conclusive action it has been shown that they are not willing to appear," Milosevic told the trial's three judges in a webcast of a hearing at the U.N. tribunal. Presiding judge Patrick Robinson said he would not issue a subpoena unless Milosevic submitted his request in writing.
| After he stopped giggling and composed himself. |
Milosevic won back the right to lead his own defense earlier this month in an appeal against a decision by judges in September to appoint two lawyers to manage and present his case to prevent trial delays due to his ill health. Milosevic, who has described himself as a peacemaker in the Balkans and does not recognize the court, has dismissed the charges he faces as politically motivated "lies" and declined to enter a plea. Pleas of not guilty were entered on his behalf.