American to Head War Crimes Panel

A former U.S. civil rights lawyer took over the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal in The Hague. Gabrielle Kirk McDonald, a 55-year-old former law professor and federal judge in Texas, was elected president of the court that was established to bring those who committed wartime atrocities to justice. McDonald said she plans to visit the capitals of Belgrade, Sarajevo and Zagreb to forge "a fresh relationship" with Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian leaders and encourage them to cooperate with the court. No dates have been set.