ZAGREB, July 24 (Hina) - Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic on Thursday criticised the statement by ombudsman Ante Klaric that a decision on sending Croatian troops to Iraq would be unconstitutional. She dismissed the statement as
superficial and uninformed.
ZAGREB, July 24 (Hina) - Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic on
Thursday criticised the statement by ombudsman Ante Klaric that a
decision on sending Croatian troops to Iraq would be
unconstitutional. She dismissed the statement as superficial and
uninformed. #L#
"I appreciate the ombudsman's efforts in dealing with human rights
issues, but I cannot be happy with his supeficiality," Antunovic
told reporters in the government building.
She said that Croatia did not intend to send its citizens or
soldiers to war, or give anyone such an order.
"Participation in a peacekeeping mission in Iraq has nothing to do
with combat operations," Antunovic said.
If the Croatian parliament decides so, only volunteers will be sent
to Iraq, she added.
Klaric has sent a letter to the government and parliament
committees, warning them against adopting a decision on sending
troops to Iraq as such a decision would be unconstitutional.
Antunovic said she had the impression Klaric did not have enough
information nor had he sought any from the defence ministry.
He should have gathered true information rather than react on the
basis of press reports, she said.
(hina) vm