Milosevic investigation ordered

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia -- Prosecutors have ordered police to carry out a criminal investigation into former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

A statement from the Belgrade prosecutor's office said on Wednesday that the inquiry was the first legal step in a process that could result in Milosevic's arrest.

Police are to investigate allegations that Milosevic smuggled more than 400 pounds of gold first to Switzerland then to two other unnamed countries, before he was forced from power last year.

AUDIO Alessio Vinci, Belgrade Bureau Chief: Financial irregularities 381 K/35 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Milosevic to face investigation 431 K/39 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

It is the first time Belgrade has indicated what type of charges Milosevic might face if brought to trial and is another step towards the-ex-president facing court action.

Among the charges he could face are making false statements regarding his financial holdings in connection with the purchase of a luxury home in Belgrade.

Prosecutors have said if they get more evidence, they could order Milosevic's detention amid fears he could flee the country or destroy evidence.

The announcement came as an opinion poll indicated that the majority of Serbs want Milosevic tried for war crimes.

More than half the 910 people questioned in a survey published in the Belgrade daily Blic also said they believed Milosevic should surrender to the U.N. tribunal in The Hague which has indicted him on war crimes charges linked to the Kosovo conflict.

The poll, carried out by the Argument Agency between February 12 and 16, said 60.3 percent of those asked believed Milosevic should be tried for war crimes while 16.6 percent were opposed. The question did not specify location for a trial.

Serbia's new reformist leaders have so far refused to surrender Milosevic, arguing that Milosevic should be tried in Yugoslavia. Milosevic has always staunchly denied wrongdoing during his time in office.

A number of offences, including corruption, illegally taking state funds abroad, illegal real estate and war crimes, have been mentioned as possible crimes he could be charged with in Serbia.

The prosecutor's statement suggests that the government initially wants Milosevic on trial for fraud and stealing state property.

The United States has made its aid conditional on Belgrade's co-operation with the tribunal before April 1 this year. Congress votes on a multi-dollar package on March 31.

The U.N. tribunal has indicted Milosevic and four of his top officials on charges that forces under their command in Kosovo committed war crimes against ethnic Albanians before and during NATO's 1999 bombing campaign.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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