TRIAL OF 14 WESTERN OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES IN BELGRADE, 2000-09-18 (photo)

Empty chairs in the Belgrade District Court bear the names of 14 Western officials accused by the Yugoslav authorities of war crimes during last year's NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia. The court has decided to put on trial the Western leaders William Clinton, Madeleine Albright, William Cohen, Anthony Blair, Robin Cook, George Robertson, Jacques Chirac, Hubert Vedrine, Alain Richard, Gerhard Schroeder, Joseph Fischer, Rudolf Scharping, Javier Solana and Wesley Clark in their absence. The indictments were brought in line with the Yugoslav penal law for incitement to war of aggression, war crimes against civilians, use of forbidden ordnance, attempt to murder the Yugoslav president and violation of Yugoslavia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Investigation into the crimes was initiated immediately after the aggression ended throughout Serbia before 29 district courts and a military court. IM/