STATE PROSECUTOR ASKS FOR RECORDINGS OF PAVLOVIC'S STATEMENT

ZAGREB, March 28 (Hina) - The Zagreb county state prosecutor on Friday requested Croatian Television (HTV) for the video recording of a speech by the president of the Sinj branch of the Croatian Homeland War Invalids Association (HVIDR-a), Drazen Pavlovic, during which he is alleged to have made threats against the premier and the president of the country. #L# In a statement issued by state prosecutor Krunoslav Canjuga, it is noted that the aim of viewing the recordings is to "further ascertain the facts and circumstances" surrounding the event. HTV was requested to supply the video recording of the news conference at which Pavlovic made the statement and Radio Sinj the audio tape of a programme aired "in connection with the sentencing of the so- called Gospic group". Claiming that he was speaking on behalf of HVIDR-a's Sinj branch and local Homeland War associations, Pavlovic told a news conference in Zagreb on Wednesday he had "a message from the Cetina region for Messrs Mesic, Racan, Manolic and others - may they join comrade Djindjic for breakfast as soon as possible because this is the only way to save the Croatian state for which we fought". Djindjic was assassinated earlier this month in Belgrade by, as is believed, the local Mafia. HVIDR-a heads distanced themselves from Pavlovic's statement, as did the National Centre of Croatian Homeland War Veterans, noting that it constituted Pavlovic's private opinion. All political parties condemned Pavlovic's statement while the Zagreb county state prosecution requested the police to question him due to suspicion that he threatened the premier and the president. Pavlovic reported to the police of his own accord and later told reporters that the interpretation of his statement had been wrong and ill-intentioned and that he had no intention at all to threaten anyone. He apologised to anyone who saw his statement as a threat. (hina) sp/ha sb