JOKIC BLAMES BATTALION COMMANDER FOR 1991 SHELLING OF DUBROVNIK

ZAGREB, March 26 (Hina) - The heavy shelling of Dubrovnik's Old Town on 10-13 November and 6 December 1991 was the result of the arbitrary behaviour of the commander of the Third Battalion of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) Trebinje Brigade, Captain Vladimir Kovacevic, retired JNA Admiral Miodrag Jokic said on the third day of his testimony against JNA General Pavle Strugar before the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague on Friday.#L# In his testimony Jokic, who commanded the JNA Ninth Naval District at the time of the shelling of Dubrovnik, shifted the responsibility for the attacks on to Kovacevic. Kovacevic, known as Rambo, was also charged with the shelling of Dubrovnik in 1991, but has not yet entered his plea due to serious mental problems. The tribunal is considering whether he is fit to stand trial. Jokic on Thursday confirmed the existence of an order issued by the JNA in 1991 on the protection of cultural sites in time of war, which listed buildings in Yugoslavia that were proclaimed as world heritage sites. The Old Town of Dubrovnik topped the list. On Friday, prosecutor Susan Somers asked Jokic how it was possible that the Old Town was shelled despite the order. "I believe that this was the result of the arbitrary behaviour of the battalion commander (Captain Vladimir Kovacevic), who was provided with combat support by Brigade Chief of Staff Komar," Jokic said, strongly denying the allegation that he personally had ordered the shelling of the historical part of Dubrovnik. Jokic said that he had asked his superiors to relieve Komar and Brigade Commander Vicic of their duties because he held them responsible. He added that it was only later that he found that most of the blame lay with Kovacevic. Jokic said that they had not been relieved of their duties and that he had been told that there were no suitable officers to replace them. Jokic will continue his testimony on Monday. (Hina) vm