GENERAL ADEMI ARRIVES IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - Croatian general Rahim Ademi, whom the Hague-based international war crimes tribunal granted temporary release pending trial, arrived in Zagreb on board a Croatia Airlines flight from Amsterdam on Thursday. Ademi, who leaves for Split this afternoon, was welcomed at the airport by his wife and two daughters and government representatives. Ademi was in detention at the Hague prison since July 25 last year, when he surrendered voluntarily. He has been charged with command responsibility for crimes committed against Serb civilians during a 1993 Croatian army operation in the Medak Pocket. The Hague tribunal yesterday accepted a request by Ademi's defence team that he be released pending trial. The trial is expected to begin in 2003 at the earliest. Enclosed with the defence request were Ademi's statement, a letter with government guarantees, a letter of recommendation by President Stjepan Mesic, and a letter by the mayor of Split, asking for Ademi's release on behalf of Split residents. Under the decision, Ademi must not leave his place of residence in Croatia and must report his address to the Interior Ministry and the Tribunal's secretariat. He will be able to change his place of residence only if he notifies the Interior Ministry and the Tribunal's secretariat of the change seven days in advance. He must report with the police once a week and receive unannounced visits by the police to check that he is staying in his place of residence. He must not hold any official position in Croatia and must report new employment and information about his employer within three days. He also must not discuss his case with anyone except with his attorneys or contact the media. The Croatian authorities are obliged to see that these conditions are fulfilled as well as care about Ademi's safety and once a month report to the tribunal about compliance with the conditions of temporary release. (hina) rml