ZAGREB, Oct 7 (Hina) - Despite assurances by the Croatian government, the United States has no reason to believe that runaway general Ante Gotovina is outside Croatia and expects the government to solve the issue, the US ambassador in
charge of war crimes issues, Pierre-Richard Prosper, said after talks at the Croatian Justice Ministry in Zagreb on Tuesday.
ZAGREB, Oct 7 (Hina) - Despite assurances by the Croatian
government, the United States has no reason to believe that runaway
general Ante Gotovina is outside Croatia and expects the government
to solve the issue, the US ambassador in charge of war crimes
issues, Pierre-Richard Prosper, said after talks at the Croatian
Justice Ministry in Zagreb on Tuesday. #L#
Justice Minister Ingrid Anticevic Marinovic and the US ambassador
discussed the reform of the justice system and implementation of
the statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Addressing reporters after the talks, Prosper voiced satisfaction
with the progress made in the reform of the judiciary and adjustment
of domestic legislation to European standards.
Answering a reporter's question, Prosper reiterated the US
government's position regarding General Gotovina.
The US expects the Croatian government to make steps to locate
General Gotovina, words are not enough, it wants something to be
done, Prosper said, warning that the problem of General Gotovina
was a potential obstacle to Croatia's admission to European
institutions, and if not solved, it could have negative
repercussions.
The US official made it clear to Croatian officials that the
international community was carefully following developments
regarding the fugitive general and that the US was ready to support
the tribunal in any request, as well as the international
community's requests regarding Gotovina.
(hina) rml sb