WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Yugoslavia 's top police official said on Monday that his officers are ready to arrest former President Slobodan Milosevic.
Zoran Zivkovic, Interior Minister told reporters that he would arrest Milosevic as soon as prosecutors give the order.
"Personally, I think there is absolutely enough reason for that to be done," add Zivkovic.
As the Yugoslav parliament began work on legislation to clear Milosevic allies from the judiciary in order to allow prosecution to commence, government leaders continue to insist that Milosevic must face justice at home prior to any possible trial before the U.N. war crimes tribunal.
Although the time and place for the trial have yet to be set, statements from The Hague reflect that the U.N. has indicted Milosevic over alleged Serb repression of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority.
It is expected that Serbia's parliament, dominated by pro-democracy legislators, will vote this week on a law permitting the replacement of judges and prosecutors who have refused to begin legal proceedings against Milosevic.
Yugoslav 's new regime, swept to power in October, faces growing international pressure to cooperate with the U.N. war crimes tribunal.
Belgrade risks losing tens of millions of dollars in financial aid if they do not cooperate on the issue before a March 31st deadline placed on them by the U.S.
Lately, differences emerged among pro-democracy officials who had ousted Milosevic, and Zoran Zizic, Yugoslavia 's Prime Minister and a former Milosevic ally, who was criticized concerning his position on Milosevic's possible extradition.
Last weekend, Zizic pledged that Milosevic would not be extradited while he remained in office.
Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic called his statement "inappropriate," saying it is not upon him to decide whether Milosevic will be extradited.
As the government expressed concerns that extraditing Milosevic could cost it popular support, U.N. chief prosecutor Carla Del Ponte announced that the international court had priority over local courts in prosecuting war crimes.
Contrary to statements made by the Yugoslav government, observers state there are indications that many Serbians are eager to see Milosevic stand trial at the Hague court.
