PM ON TALKS WITH AMERICANS, GOTOVINA CASE

ZAGREB, June (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Wednesday declined to comment on the possible outcome of talks with the United States on the non-extradition of its citizens to the International Criminal Court (ICC). #L# Racan declined to assess the possibility of Croatia receiving exemption at the talks. The Croatian government entered the talks in hope that its U.S. friends will show understanding for the delicacy of Croatia's situation, Racan told reporters. The U.S. Embassy in Zagreb reported Tuesday that Ambassador Marisa Lino would arrive in Zagreb today to hold talks with Croatia's senior officials on the non-extradition of Americans to the ICC. The talks are scheduled for tomorrow. The United States is trying to sign bilateral agreements on the non- extradition of its citizens to the ICC and so far 38 countries have signed such agreements. The United States announced it would discontinue its military assistance to countries which fail to sign the agreement by July 1, 2003. The Croatian government has not yet made a decision on the issue and hopes to avoid U.S. sanctions by receiving exemption of the U.S. president. Asked to comment on the General Ante Gotovina case, the PM said the question was whether Gotovina could avoid the status of an indictee and whether he could be given the status of a suspect. It is hard to imagine that at the moment, said the PM and added if there was a chance one should take advantage of it. Racan reiterated that he personally, after Croatia received the indictment against Gotovina, sent a letter to the ICTY chief prosecutor contesting some parts of the indictment. He added that he personally and the government were ready to appear before the ICTY and contest parts of Gotovina's indictment. The PM reiterated that Gotovina's cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal at The Hague, his defence and contesting the indictment before the tribunal was helping both the fugitive general and Croatia. (hina) it sb