Kostunica unhappy with trial

YUGOSLAVIA: The Yugoslav President, Mr Vojislav Kostunica, yesterday criticised the early stages of his predecessor Mr Slobodan…

YUGOSLAVIA: The Yugoslav President, Mr Vojislav Kostunica, yesterday criticised the early stages of his predecessor Mr Slobodan Milosevic's war crimes trial, saying prosecutors had presented a superficial version of events.

Mr Kostunica, who describes himself as a moderate nationalist, questioned many assertions made by prosecutors in their opening statements at the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague. "I cannot rid myself of the impression than in the first legal proceedings against former president Milosevic, there has been little legality but much shallow, superficial. . . and often forged quasi-history," the former law professor said in Belgrade.

"There has been politicking, hypocrisy and strange inconsistencies." Mr Kostunica's sentiments are likely to be shared by a substantial proportion of Serbs. Many feel the entire Serb nation is on trial with Mr Milosevic. Mr Kostunica cast doubt on the prosecution's assertion that Serbia itself was not on trial, noting that all the indictments against Mr Milosevic alleged he was part of "joint criminal enterprises" which included senior figures in the Serbian state. But Mr Kostunica also said the tribunal was a reality Yugoslavia could not avoid. He said Belgrade should actively co-operate.