(2006-03-11) — The sudden death of former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic in a United Nations prison toady won’t keep “the butcher of the Balkans” off the witness stand nor slow the proceedings in his genocide trial, according to an unnamed spokesman at the Hague.

“If he thinks that he can slow down this court by dying, he’s gravely mistaken,” said the anonymous source. “There’s nothing that can retard our administration of justice, nor reduce the credibility of this global institution.”

Mr. Milosovic, imprisoned at the Hague five years ago, faces a variety of war crimes charges, including the genocide of more than 8,000 Muslims during his bloody decade ruling the former Soviet state.

The court spokesman said that after an autopsy, Mr. Milosevic would now undergo another round of psychiatric examinations to determine his continuing fitness to stand trial.