European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 29, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The trial of i wan too Busy running the government to pay attention to questions of Money or prison administration emperor Bokassa a  Bronze to Tuet of the former emperor  to one time Imperial Altce in hit Birthplace 70mileifrom bang us the capt Tel of Central of ctn Republic. Page 16 the stars and stripes by Michael Goldsmith associated pres sri or three months the trial of former emperor Bokassa i in Bangui Central african Republic has heard hundreds of witnesses describe a thieving Bloodthirsty and cannibalistic tyrant who reduced his country to bankruptcy. The Benl figure of the Gray bearded defendant bears i Hie resemblance to the haughty dictator who held absolute Power Over 4 million subjects from 1965 until he was ousted in a French sponsored coup in 1979. The 65-year-old Jean Bedel Bokassa is nearly crippled by gout and cardiac problems. But he is mentally Alert and vigorously rejects charges against him of mass murder torture cannibalism and embezzlement of hundreds of minions of dollars from the impoverished nation s Treasury i accept Overall responsibility for what was done under my regime Bokassa fold the court at one Point but i knew nothing about the individual crimes i am now accused of i was chief of state. I was too Busy running the government to pay attention to questions of Money or prison  alter trial lawyers summations in april a verdict is expected in mid May. Bokassa has called no defense witnesses. He says the prosecution failed to prove its Case. Many witnesses said Bokassa personally ordered suspected opponents or members of their families killed in Bangui s infamous a Garaba prison. Former Cabinet ministers were said to have been starved or beaten to death. Bokassa s former Cook. Philippe Linguista. Tost lied he prepared meals of human fish and watched Bokassa Eal them with  witnesses said human body parts were found in the Freezer of Bokassa s private Villa in the Bangui suburb of Colongo following his ouster. Bokassa s former treasurer albeit Kuda said he personally handed the irian emperor �55,000 of government funds in Cash every week. The prosecution said Bokassa used the Money to buy four Chateaux and a hotel in France a luxurious Villa near Nice to properties in Belgium and an executive Jet plane. Bokassa said the Money he used to buy the real estate was Given to him As gifts from unnamed african chiefs of stale. The government s French attorney Bertrand Jouanneau told the court Bokassa look at least $170 million hmm the National Treasury for his personal use. Thai estimate does not include hundreds of millions of dollars spent on his 1977 Coronation Complete with sunday March 29.1987 Diamond studded Crown and scepter and solid Gold throne. Jouanneau said Bokassa had the Crown jewels and other treasures smuggled out of the country. Bokassa told the court they were stolen by French soldiers who came 10 support the 1979 coup. Charge against Bokassa include a 1979 massacre of schoolchildren who were in a protest demonstration the murder or 40 political prisoners and the poisoning of the baby of his adopted daughter who was the Wile of an army officer who tried to assassinate him. Bokassa was sentenced to death in his absence in 1980, bul under Law had to be tried again following his voluntary return last october. He said he returned ram French exile to Clear himself and be allowed to live in peace among my  his trial in a sweltering courtroom has continued in painstaking detail since dec 15 at a rate of four sessions a week broadcast in their entirety on National radio and television. In shops offices and Adobe huts Bokassa s former subjects follow the proceedings with fascination. Most seem convinced the court has no Choice bul to hand Down a death sentence. But some mostly members of Bolassa s m Baka tribe who enjoyed privileges during his reign still express support for him. While he was in Power there was no unemployment everyone had enough to eat and lha Central african Republic was held in esteem throughout Africa said a local schoolteacher who declined to give his name. Bokassa s two French lawyers Francis spiner and Francois Gibault pay tribute to the Freedom the government of president Andre Koling a has allowed them in defending their client. Whatever the outcome of the trial the Way in which i has been conducted will stand As a landmark of right and Justice in Africa said Cibull. Kol Rangba s French backed military government has had to tread a delicate path Elween demands Lor revenge French advice of moderation to promote National reconciliation and ejections expressed by some leaders of other african slates. Presidents Mobutu sese seko of Zaire and Omar Bongo of Gabon who maintained Friendly Tei hons with Bokassa privately Lold Koling a they would strongly disapprove of an execution diplomatic sources say. The prosecution says both leaders handed Over to Bokassa exiled Central african Republic dissidents who were later killed. The sources insisting on anonymity said Koling a has asked several african countries in they might offer Asylum to Bokassa following a possible conviction death sentence and presidential Pardon