Washington - The Yugoslav President, Mr Slobodan Milosevic, must be tried for war crimes to ensure a lasting peace in the Balkans, NATO's Secretary-General said yesterday, denying reports of a deal to get him to step down.
"I'm looking forward to my first meeting with President Milosevic in The Hague, and I expect to see him there," said Mr George Robertson, referring to the international tribunal set up in the Dutch capital to try war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia.
The New York Times this week reported that Washington, NATO members and Moscow had been exploring ways of getting Mr Milosevic to step down by offering him guarantees for his safety and to keep his wealth. Both the United States and Russia denied the report.