Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, General Wesley Clark, will serve as the final defense witness for former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi in the ongoing war crimes trial at The Hague.
The announcement was made during the weekly press briefing of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, where court officials revealed that Thaçi’s defense team still has three witnesses left to present, including General Clark.
“Thaçi’s defense has so far called four witnesses and, according to current submissions, plans to summon three more as part of its evidence presentation,” court spokespersons stated.
According to official court documents, General Clark received authorization from the U.S. government to testify before the tribunal. The document confirms that the Defense obtained approval from the United States—referred to as the ‘Rule 107 Provider’—allowing the statement and testimony of witness 1DW-007, General Wesley Clark.
The testimony is scheduled to begin on November 19, with preliminary arrangements indicating that Clark may appear before the court in the afternoon of November 18 or the morning of November 19.
The defense has also requested an additional court session on November 21, should extra time be required to conclude Clark’s testimony.
“While the defense hopes to complete the testimony within two days, it exceptionally requests that November 21 be reserved as an additional day to ensure a fair opportunity for all parties to finalize the witness’s examination,” the filing states.
In its submission, Thaçi’s defense outlined the main topics of Clark’s expected testimony, emphasizing his critical role in NATO’s actions during the Kosovo conflict.
Clark, a decorated four-star U.S. Army General, served as NATO Supreme Allied Commander from 1997 to 2000. His testimony will address NATO’s implementation of the Holbrooke-Milošević Agreement (October 1998), the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 1199, and the 1999 air campaign against Yugoslav forces following Slobodan Milošević’s refusal to sign the Rambouillet Accords.
He will also testify on the deployment of NATO forces in Kosovo, in line with the Military Technical Agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1244, as well as on the demilitarization and transformation of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
This marks a significant moment in the defense phase of the Thaçi trial, as General Clark’s testimony is expected to provide critical context regarding NATO’s decisions and actions during the Kosovo War, potentially reinforcing the defense’s argument that Thaçi acted in coordination with international efforts, not in defiance of them.
