§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the Milosevic trial at The Hague; and if he will make it his policy to press for the trial to be completed. [184024]
§ Mr. RammellThe Prosecution finished presenting its case in the Milosevic trial on 25 February.
The defence stage of the trial began on 5 July. Milosevic wishes to undertake his own defence, but there are concerns about his health. Given these concerns the trial chamber has decided to adjourn until 19 July with a further adjournment from 21 July until 31 August in order to allow the defendant additional time to prepare his case. The trial chamber has indicated it may be necessary to assign defence counsel to assist or represent Milosevic should he be unfit to do so himself. Full details can be found on the ICTY website at http:// www.un.org/icty/milosevic/trialc/order-e/040706.htm.
The UK continues to believe it is important that Milosevic, like others indicted by the ICTY, must stand trial for the crimes of which he is accused. We trust the Tribunal will find a fair and satisfactory solution to allow the completion of this trial.