HDZ URGES GOV'T TO MULL OVER U.S. NON-EXTRADITION REQUEST

ZAGREB, May 16 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) urges the government to take into consideration every circumstance when deciding on the U.S. request that its soldiers be unilaterally exempt from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, the opposition party said in a press release on Friday. #L# The U.S. request has to be mulled over with understanding, primarily due to the possible revenge-seeking and danger of politicising the Rome-based court, as well as because of the as yet unclear boundaries between the court's jurisdiction and national security interests, said the HDZ. As far as Europe is concerned, the United States has always been a secure and reliable partner in all the major challenges, the HDZ said, estimating that Europe would not be able to fully resolve its security problems without transatlantic cooperation and partnership with the U.S. The HDZ remains committed to its position and calls on the government to consider every circumstance when deciding on the U.S. request, the press release said. (hina) ha sb