FOREIGN MINISTRY DISMISSES HTV'S COMMENTARY ON WWII VICTIMS

ZAGREB, May 9 (Hina) - The Croatian Foreign Ministry on Friday issued a statement on a commentary on the problems of WWII concentration camp inmates and victims, broadcast yesterday on Croatian Television's "Meridijan 16" programme. The ministry stated that the commentary, concerning a meeting between WWII victims and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, "reflects neither the tone nor the content of the meeting". #L# According to the ministry, said programme on Thursday featured a short commentary on a meeting held at the ministry on May 7. "It was stated in the commentary that former camp inmates and victims of WWII were told by Minister Picula that they should have taken care of their compensation at the time of the former Yugoslavia, which reflects neither the content nor the tone of the meeting," reads the statement. The minister, the statement reads, held two separate meetings with representatives of associations of WWII concentration camp inmates and war victims, during which he asked them, among other things, if they had tried to discuss their problems with the former authorities, considering the fact that the tragic events happened 60 years ago. As they answered negatively, Picula voiced regret that similar initiatives had not been launched at the time of the former federation, which signed a series of agreements with Italy closing some open issues from the war and post-war time, the statement reads. The ministry states that the two sides also discussed the work of the Croatian-Italian Commission, proposals by associations of former camp inmates and war victims regarding a law on war victims and other issues related to the associations' activities. Minister Picula heard his guests, who handed him materials they had prepared. He said that competent services would consider the materials in detail within their jurisdiction. (hina) rml sb