MP STILL URGES PARLIAMENT DEBATE ON INTERPELLATION ON GOV'T WORK

ZAGREB, May 23 (Hina) - Social Liberal MP Josko Kontic has dismissed the government's claim that a parliamentary debate on an interpellation on government performance in the case of fugitive war crimes indictee Ante Gotovina could be construed as pressure on the judicial authority. #L# Talking to reporters on Friday, Kontic called on the government to deliver the indictment from the Hague tribunal and the necessary documentation to Gotovina's defence. Dismissing the possibility of withdrawing the interpellation, Kontic also rejected assessments that a debate on the matter could be characterised as pressure on the judiciary. Claims about pressure by the legislative on the judicial authority are a silly and baseless attempt at avoiding a public debate, he said. Kontic said that the government, in its response to the interpellation, failed to refute even one assertion made in the interpellation. His estimate is that parliament will tackle the interpellation in the second half of June, i.e. at the next session. At a closed-door session yesterday, the government formulated a reply to parliament concerning the demand for an interpellation on government performance in the "General Ante Gotovina case". The reply says the government is acting in line with domestic laws and the Hague tribunal's statute. The interpellation's conclusion, signed by 55 MPs, seeks that parliament bind the government to deliver to Gotovina's defence team documentation which may refer to his case at the Hague tribunal. In its reply, the government cautioned parliament, and MPs who signed the interpellation in particular, that any debate on the proposed conclusion while court proceedings are underway could be seen as pressure by the legislative on the judicial authority. (hina) ha sb