DEL PONTE: THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE AGAINST GOTOVINA

ZAGREB, June 20 (Hina) - The Hague tribunal has enough evidence for the indictment against retired Croatian general Ante Gotovina, the chief prosecutor of the U.N. war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Carla Del Ponte, said in an interview for "Jutarnji list" daily. She added that at present there was no new evidence which would require changing the indictment. #L# Del Ponte said that before signing any indictment she checked all documents, evidence and facts, and added that in Gotovina's case there was enough evidence for the indictment. The situation can always change due to new facts and evidence, however, at the moment there is no new relevant evidence which would require changes to the indictment, she said. Asked whether there was evidence that Gotovina, as the indictment alleges, had planned crimes in collusion with others, including former Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, Del Ponte said the evidence about that existed, however, she would discuss it before the court. She confirmed that Croatian President Stjepan Mesic's office had forwarded to the tribunal new evidence, which had to be translated first. Del Ponte added that her associates had reviewed the documents and established that they did not contain anything that could significantly change the prosecution's stand. The chief prosecutor said she did not intend to inform the president, the government or the media about the prosecution's stand on the documents. The only place where those stands can be discussed is the court, Del Ponte said. Asked if she would insist that Gotovina be taken into custody if he surrendered, Del Ponte said that depended on the conduct of the accused and government guarantees. If the accused surrender to the tribunal of their own accord, answer all investigators' questions in the detention centre after entering their plea, and if after that their presence is considered no longer necessary, the prosecution will not oppose discontinuing detention on condition the Croatian government provides guarantees that the accused will be available at all times, Del Ponte said. She recalled the same procedure was applied in the case of indicted general Rahim Ademi. The same procedure is awaiting Gotovina, the chief prosecutor said. She dismissed speculations that some segments of the US administration were exerting pressure on the tribunal to stop the processing of operations Flash and Storm. There are no pressures, the US position is clear - Gotovina must go to The Hague, Del Ponte said. (hina) rml