Nato allies want 'justice' for Milosevic

The War Crimes Tribunal are pressing for Mr Milosevic to be transferred to The Hague

Nato allies - who launched a three month campaign against the government of Slobodan Milosevic in 1999 - have welcomed news of the arrest of the former Yugoslav leader.

Final confirmation of his arrest came in the middle of the night for most Nato capitals, but the UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook was quick to welcome the news on behalf of "all those who have struggled to bring peace and justice to the Balkans".

This step by the Yugoslav authorities is very important and very welcome

Tony Blair

"It is another important step towards bringing Milosevic and his cronies to book for their crimes against humanity," Mr Cook said.

US officials were reported to be reluctant to complicate matters in Belgrade by commenting on the arrest, but President George W Bush had already said he was watching events closely.

"We've always said Mr Milosevic ought to be brought to justice... we will co-operate in any way we are asked to do so," he said.

Important step

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was a "very important and very welcome" step by the Yugoslav authorities.

"Milosevic has been the cause of several wars and countless deaths in the last 10 years. He should face justice. It is an essential step on Yugoslavia's path to return to the European mainstream where it belongs," he said.

Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, offered his approval saying:

"The authority of the Hague tribunal has always been the position of the European Commission... I have encouraged the Serbian democracy and Mr Kostunica in this direction."

French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin was more blunt.

"For us, the decision taken by the Belgrade authorities to proceed with his arrest ... is an extremely important step," he said.

Indicted for war crimes

Mr Milosevic has been indicted for war crimes by the UN's International War Crimes Tribunal at The Hague.

The spokeswoman for the tribunal's chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte, Florence Hartmann, said the Belgrade authorities were being urged to transfer Milosevic to The Hague as soon as possible to face charges of crimes against humanity.

Belgraders have also followed the events with interest

Ms Hartmann added that the Yugoslav justice authorities were not ready to mount a case against Mr Milosevic, noting that they had begun an investigation into his financial dealings only a month ago, whereas the tribunal had been investigating him since May 1999.

"It is very important for stability in the region that he faces a trial that clarifies his role in the Yugoslav war," she said.

I think the people of Serbia should be congratulated, we have believed and said ...that it's important for international justice to be served.

Madeleine Albright

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said: "We can only hope that this is the first step towards bringing him to justice."

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, a key force behind the US-led Nato air strikes on Yugoslavia in 1999, also welcomed reports of the arrest.

"I think the people of Serbia should be congratulated. We have believed and said ...that it's important for international justice to be served," she said.