MILOSEVIC AGREES TO STAMBOLIC QUESTIONING

MILOSEVIC AGREES TO STAMBOLIC QUESTIONING
Beta - March 31, 2003

THE HAGUE -- Monday – Slobodan Milosevic has requested that The Hague Tribunal approves the arrival of Belgrade investigators wishing to question him about the murder of former Serbian President Ivan Stambolic.

Milosevic, who has said that the hunt for his wife has been an incredible media campaign that is being waged against him by pressuring his family, is prepared to grant an audience to the Serbian investigators.

At today’s resumption of his trial, which had been suspended for two weeks due to his continuing ill health, Milosevic said: "The reprisal launched against my wife and my children is because of me and the battle I lead here, and I claim that it is orchestrated in cooperation with this court's prosecution".

The former Yugoslavian President continued: "They know that I had the power and not my wife, but they are attacking her, which means that they are not interested in any investigation".

Presiding judge Richard May interrupted Milosevic, insisting that his speech had nothing whatsoever to do with the trial against him.

Today’s hearing of Milosevic’s case has been closed to the public because the prosecution have brought a protected witness to the court.