MESIC SAYS GOTOVINA STILL HAS CHANCE TO DEFEND HIMSELF IN FREEDOM

ZAGREB, Feb 16 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said on Monday that General Ante Gotovina "still has a chance to defend himself in freedom, on condition that he surrenders to the Hague tribunal", but added, however, that "those chances are lower and lower".#L# The president said this during his visit to Vecernji list daily where reporters asked him to comment on media claims that Gotovina had reduced Croatia's chances for joining the EU by refusing to surrender to the UN war crimes tribunal at The Hague. "Gotovina has a chance, but it is getting smaller and smaller," said Mesic and added that Croatia's cooperation with the ICTY was good. "All indictees but one are in The Hague, all subpoenaed witnesses went to The Hague and Croatia forwarded the documentation the tribunal had requested," Mesic reiterated. Asked about possible topics of his talks with EU High Representative for common foreign and security policy Javier Solana, who will meet Mesic as part of his one day visit to Croatia, Mesic said he had met Solana on several occasions. "After analysing issues, we've always reached a high level of consent about important matters." he said. The president expressed confidence the situation in the Croatian media was improving given that there is no more self-censorship (Hina) it sb