ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - The Croatian government's council for cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal met on Tuesday, but did not adopt any conclusions, government spokeswoman Sanja Kos told reporters, adding that it was "a
working and consultative meeting."
ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - The Croatian government's council for
cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal met on Tuesday, but
did not adopt any conclusions, government spokeswoman Sanja Kos
told reporters, adding that it was "a working and consultative
meeting." #L#
Kos declined to reveal any details of the meeting, the first after
the resignation of Goran Granic as council president, but said that
it was convened by Prime Minister Ivica Racan.
According to unofficial sources, the council discussed procedural
issues, but did not analyse last week's decision of the parliament
that committed the government to provide all persons indicted or
suspected by the tribunal and their attorneys with legal assistance
and the necessary documents.
The same sources said that the council would take a stand on the
parliament's decision and send its opinion to the government for
discussion after the appointment of a new president of the
council.
Government officials could not confirm that a new council president
might be appointed this Thursday.
There are speculations that Prime Minister Racan would take over
the duties of council president.
Government officials declined to comment on media speculations
that Racan and Peasant Party (HSS) leader Zlatko Tomcic would meet
to clear up the situation after the HSS joined the parliamentary
opposition in passing the decision on legal assistance to Hague
tribunal indictees and suspects, which also applies to fugitive
general Ante Gotovina and his lawyers.
The parliament's decision prompted Goran Granic to resign as
council president. Granic has said that the decision would lead him
into a situation in which he would have to act against the law.
(hina) vm