Serb army sought revenge against civilians

YUGOSLAV army forces made no attempt to dislodge ethnic Albanian rebels in Kosovo in 1999, but sought revenge against civilians who supported them, the former British defence attache in Belgrade told Slobodan Milosevic's war crimes trial yesterday.

In a second day of evidence, retired Colonel John Crosland clashed with the former Yugoslav president. Milosevic claimed the army had been engaged in "perfectly legal counter-terrorism activities."

"Attacks against terrorists ... is pure military business, but when the troops are looting and burning ... it's a revenge against, in a majority, innocent people," Crosland said.

Milosevic insisted Yugoslav forces attacked villages regarded as "terrorist bases" after attacks on police and military positions. He is charged with five counts of murder, deportation and persecution in Kosovo in 1999.