"We have received the decision of the Trial Chamber for the joinder of the trials of Generals Ivan Cermak and Mladen Markac with that of General Ante Gotovina," Markac's defence lawyer Goran Mikulicic confirmed in a telephone interview with Hina on Sunday.
Mikulicic said that all three defence teams would request permission to file a so-called interlocutory appeal, because an ordinary appeal to such a decision was not allowed. He explained that by doing so the defence teams wanted to remain true to their view that a joinder of the cases might be detrimental to their clients' interests.
The lawyer said that should there be a joint trial he expected good cooperation among all three defence teams to the benefit of their clients.
"We are always open to cooperation. We already have very good cooperation with the defence team representing General Cermak, and we have had two or three courtesy meetings with General Gotovina's defence lawyers, but I hope now we will start concrete cooperation," Mikulicic said.
Asked about the earliest possible date of the start of the trial, Mikulicic said: "I don't believe it will start before the autumn of 2007."
General Gotovina was indicted in June 2001, after which he went into hiding. He was arrested in Spain on 7 December 2005 and five days later, at his initial appearance before the ICTY, he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Generals Cermak and Markac were indicted in March 2005 and voluntarily surrendered to the ICTY. They also pleaded not guilty to the charges at their first appearance before judges. Since December 2005 they have been on provisional release in Croatia awaiting trial.
The prosecution filed the joinder motion in February 2006.