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War Criminal Defies War Crimes Court in Historic Encounter
THE HAGUE, July 3 (News Agencies) - A defiant Slobodan Milosevic refused to recognize the U.N. war crimes tribunal at his first historic appearance there, saying the court in The Hague and its charges against him were "false."
"I consider this tribunal false tribunal and indictments false indictments. It is illegal, not being appointed by the U.N. General Assembly, so I have no need to appoint counsel," a frowning, dark-suited Milosevic said in English.
In a dramatic opening appearance that lasted less than 15 minutes, a stony-faced Milosevic denounced the proceedings, which were promptly adjourned.
But, Judge Richard May, the British judge chairing the three-man bench, ignored his objections.
"Mr. Milosevic, you are now before this tribunal and you are within the jurisdiction of it. You will be tried by the tribunal," Judge May insisted.
Dressed smartly in a dark suit, Milosevic sat alone in the court, apart from a United Nations guard on either side of him, Western news agencies reported.
The bench for his defense counsel was empty as he had decided to appear in court without a defense team - a move that gave him more of a chance to speak for himself.
Across the courtroom sat Carla Del Ponte, the U.N. chief prosecutor who led the fight for his extradition.
History was made when the four charges were read out -- Milosevic is the first head of state ever indicted before an international court for war crimes while still in office. He could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted.
After urging him to appoint a lawyer, May asked if the fiery Serb nationalist wanted to hear the full indictment on three counts of crimes against humanity -- including mass murder and deportation -- and one of breaching the Geneva Conventions on the conduct of war during ethnic cleansing in Kosovo in 1999.
Removing his hands from his chin in a gesture of bored contempt, Milosevic drawled in English, "That's your problem."
Judge May then adjourned the case until August 27 - an automatic procedure in cases where the defendant refuses to enter a plea.
Earlier, Milosevic was transferred to the court in a convoy of three black limousines for what is the most important war crimes trial since the end of World War II.
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