ZAGREB, June 10 (Hina) - Ivo Pukanic, the author of an interview with ICTY indictee Ante Gotovina, published in the latest issue of the Nacional weekly, said Tuesday after being interrogated by police that he did not reveal where and
when he had interviewed the fugitive general.
ZAGREB, June 10 (Hina) - Ivo Pukanic, the author of an interview
with ICTY indictee Ante Gotovina, published in the latest issue of
the Nacional weekly, said Tuesday after being interrogated by
police that he did not reveal where and when he had interviewed the
fugitive general. #L#
Pukanic arrived at the police headquarters at noon and after a one-
hour police interrogation he informed reporters of the contexts of
the talks. He said he told police chief Gojko Markovic and his
assistant that he was not able to disclose information where and
when he had interviewed Gotovina, or who had helped him get the
interview.
The Nacional CEO said he cited the law on information which allows
him, as a reporter, not to reveal his source and the way he obtained
the information.
"I told them that several witnesses were present at the interview
with Gotovina," Pukanic said. He added police did not threaten to
use any form of sanctions against him.
Pukanic said police did not doubt the authenticity of the
interview, which Gotovina's lawyers confirmed to Reuters and
Hina.
He said he relayed to police Gotovina's greetings.
Pukanic reiterated Gotovina believed that it would be best for
everyone if he came to Zagreb, not as an indictee, but as a suspect.
Pukanic cited Gotovina as saying that he would voluntarily go to The
Hague should the ICTY stick to the indictment even after his
interview with ICTY investigators.
Asked to comment on information that the President's Office helped
him establish contact with Gotovina, Pukanic said this was
"nonsense" and that only he could help the President's Office get in
contact with Gotovina and not vice-versa.
Pukanic said that Gotovina's case could be solved with political
will and the discontinuation of political manipulation, adding
that Gotovina would be able to walk around Zagreb as a free man
within a month.
According to Pukanic, Gotovina himself believes he is a victim of
political manipulation, both in 1998 and today.
The reporter and the owner of the Nacional weekly said police had
not offered him a reward for information on Gotovina's
whereabouts.
(hina) it sb