Croatia defies tribunal

Croatia yesterday challenged the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal's authority and refused to hand over documents that might shed more light into atrocities against Muslims.

The standoff underscored the already strained relations between the Croatian government and the tribunal, which says Zagreb's failure to cooperate is hampering efforts to bring accused war criminals to justice.

"If we don't move forward with real cooperation, this tribunal will be crippled," Judge Gabrielle Kirk McDonald warned. AP - The Hague