Mesic believes that it will soon be known what Gotovina intends to do in light of the fact that the noose is tightening around Hague indictees Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic. Gotovina has no reason to let himself be considered part of such a group, because Mladic and Karadzic planned and carried out genocide, he added.
"What Gotovina will do depends more on his advisors than him," Mesic said, adding that the runaway general was in a sort of media isolation.
The president said he did not believe that Gotovina was in Croatia.
"I expect Croatia to start talks on admission to the EU this autumn because we have met all conditions... we are ready for negotiations."
Commenting on the government's statement that it would pay special attention to economic development this autumn, Mesic said he and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader agreed that the president should attend government sessions focusing on strategic development directions.
Commenting on the fact that he was booed at at a recent celebration of the 10th anniversary of Operation Storm in Knin, Mesic said that the protesters received instructions from a circle of disgruntled army officers whom he had sent into retirement for involvement in politics and from some other circles. "They are not interested in what I am saying, they are dissatisfied with citizens who elected me president," Mesic said.
Asked about unsolved murders which happened in Osijek in 1991 and 1992, Mesic wondered how it was possible for so many such cases to remain unpunished.
"The rule of law has failed, but that can be rectified by solving all of those cases and calling to account those who obstructed efforts to solve them."
Asked about allegations that Branimir Glavas was connected with the murders, Mesic said that one should refrain from levelling accusations and that competent bodies should establish the facts.