Milosevic genocide charge: Can it be proven?

Slobodan Milosevic went on trial again on Thursday on genocide and other charges relating to the wars in Bosnia and Croatia.

Prosecutors at the Hague argued that the former Yugoslav president had been involved in a plan to carve out an ethnically pure Serb state on the territory of the former Yugoslavia.

Mr Milosevic countered by producing a television documentary that portrayed Serbs as victims.

This is the second phase of the trial against Mr Milosevic, who refuses to recognise the tribunal but has nonetheless conducted his own forceful defence.

Can the charge of genocide be proven? Tell us what you think.

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This Talking Point has now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

It is obvious that Mr Milosevic did not do everything in his power to stop acts of genocide during the Balkan wars. Whether he supported such military actions or not, his very refusal to stop the genocide is a crime in itself. However, proving in a court of law that he gave his support to military action against civilians is another matter. Without proof of such orders or reliable confessions from those he worked with, I do not think he will be found guilty.
Mark Schofield, France

Just because Serbs were also victims doesn't mean that Milosevic is innocent. Were the Nazis tried after WWII innocent just because the allies bombed German civilians? I don't think so.
Peter, UK

Like a stubborn leader who refused to prostrate before the mighty powers he is paying the penalty for trying to defend the integrity of his country. If he was corrupt and really committed crimes then it should have been the responsibility of the incoming government following his downfall to commit him to trial.
George Nicolaidis, Australia

Milosevic's crimes are well-documented and indisputable. I am continually amazed by this ultra-nationalist's denial in the face of so much evidence, like Srebrenica.
Husejin Dervic, USA

He will be found guilty because he must be

Matthew Growhoski, USA

If Hitler had been put on trial for genocide, there would have been some who denied his role, just as there are those who defend Milosevic. I am thankful that justice has the opportunity in this case that was denied at the close of WWII: to stand witness to one of the greatest crimes in human history, and denounce its mastermind. He will be found guilty because he must be. Until he is, his victims can never heal, and Serbia can never come to terms with its collective guilt.
Matthew Growhoski, USA

The charges against Milosevic have always been unconvincing and his trial has further discredited the supposed case against him. He should be released before the international tribunal further embarrasses itself.
NK, UK

The genocide charges are complete rubbish. What we are really talking about are massacres. But these were committed by all sides. The point of the trial in the Hague is to seek justification for NATO's war of aggression against Yugoslavia.
Steven, Bermuda

The West needs a scapegoat

John B, Canada

All Serbs have been treated unjustly by the Hague and the media. Serbia overflows with Serb refugees from all regions of former Yugoslavia. The West needs a scapegoat. The trials in Croatia are a farce as well. If justice is not balanced the conflict will return.
John B, Canada

This trial is not about justice. The "law courts" had made up their minds as soon as he was abducted by Western troops. Maybe he is guilty (though of what the prosecution lawyers keep changing), but a sham trial is not the way to prove it.
Richard Murray, 14, London, UK

Milosevic led his Serbian forces to commit the worst crimes in Europe since the Holocaust. No doubt that the charge of genocide can be proven. That is the least that can be done to comfort the peoples of Kosovo, Bosnia and Croatia.
Une De, New York, USA

As commander-in-chief of the armed forces he must have directly and indirectly orchestrated genocide

Namara, Canada

As the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of former Yugoslavia, Milosevic must have directly and indirectly orchestrated genocide. Let the government of Yugoslavia and Montenegro hand in communication messages relayed to commanders. This will be the final proof of his participation in the genocide. Milosevic had the power to stop genocide by constitutionally holding a referendum for the future of Yugoslavia, but he chose the armed option. He is guilty!
Namara, Canada

I think that proving the genocide claim will be difficult, but Milosevic's other alleged (alleged as he has not yet been convicted) crimes have had a causal effect of attempted genocide in the former Yugoslav states. Investigators have founds many mass graves and the conflicts have had a distinct ethnic tone so maybe it could be argued that on his orders genocide was attempted.
Charles, UK

No, Milosevic's genocide charge cannot be proved. He ruled his own country instead of dropping missiles and bombs on another independent country. The only nation in the world to do this is the US.
Jmeil, Malaysia

The proceedings against Milosevic are a farce

Leszek Syski, USA

The proceedings against Milosevic are a farce. Milosevic was abducted illegally from Serbia - where he should have been charged, not in The Hague. The Hague prosecutors had to cobble together charges across several decades and different conflicts because their original case lacked substance.
Leszek Syski, USA

Just take a look at the ethnic map of the former Yugoslavia now and you will see that the genocide has actually been committed in the areas mainly populated by Serbs in Croatia, Krajina, Muslim-Croat federation and Kosovo. There's hardly any Serbs left there. Genocide charge should rather be directed against those in the former Yugoslavia and abroad who were responsible for this. Milosevic was a mere accomplice in this international criminal conspiracy and should answer to the Serb people not the "kangaroo court" in The Hague.
Zoki, USA

The maze of former and contemporary Yugoslav politics is enough to blur any traces of responsibility

Mark Bossanyi, Bulgaria

Any head of state who doesn't cover his tracks wouldn't last long. The maze of former and contemporary Yugoslav politics is enough to blur any traces of command responsibility. But what really aggravated the tensions which led to war was the fact that he not only refused to stand up against, but actively used and encouraged, the tide of historically motivated bigotry and hatred that was sweeping his society. Unfortunately, unravelling such cases of (at best) criminal negligence and (perhaps more accurately) deliberate manipulation is practically impossible in court.
Mark Bossanyi, Bulgaria

I do not think genocide can be proven. However war crimes certainly can.
Mirek Kondracki, USA

Slobodan Milosevic may not be the world's Mr Nice Guy, far from it, but the process of this trial, at least the parts unleashed onto the public, seems a long way from being fair and impartial. Imagine if tables were turned and it was an accepted figure from the West on trial in this manner by one of the less acceptable regimes of the world. There would be outrage expressed all around the globe.
Paul B, Oxfordshire, UK