ZAGREB, April 6 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said in an interview with the Novi List daily of Saturday that he would talk with general Ante Gotovina, if he had the chance, because he believed that Gotovina was listening
to the wrong people who were using him for scoring political points.
ZAGREB, April 6 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said in an
interview with the Novi List daily of Saturday that he would talk
with general Ante Gotovina, if he had the chance, because he
believed that Gotovina was listening to the wrong people who were
using him for scoring political points. #L#
"If I had the chance, I would talk to him. I want him to understand
the arguments because I believe some of them have not reached him,"
Mesic said.
"If he fought for the Croatian state and institutions, and we have
no reason not be believe him, then he should respect Croatian laws
and not trust the wrong people who are using him to score political
points by defending imaginary national interests," Mesic said.
He stressed that Gotovina should be provided with all documents
necessary for his defence before the Hague tribunal, but added that
Gotovina first had to appear before the court.
"There is no military secret which should be withheld from any of
the Hague indictees. They have the right to prove their innocence
and should be given help," Mesic added.
Asked if he had given up on the process of eliminating the legacy of
the regime of former President Franjo Tudjman, which he advocated
at the beginning of his mandate, Mesic said that he had not.
"... I believe Croatia deserves to be rid of Tudjman's legacy and
that it cannot make progress without undergoing such a process. All
those who in one way or another contributed to that legacy now
pretend to be the people who can save Croatia. That is the greatest
of all absurdities," Mesic said.
Asked about changes to the Labour Act envisaging the reduction of
workers' rights, which caused strong opposition by unions, Mesic
said that an agreement protecting workers and stimulating
investors should be reached in a fair discussion with good
arguments.
Croatian economy cannot integrate an army of 400,000 unemployed
people and that it why employers and those who own capital must be
encouraged to invest into production and export, Mesic said,
announcing that he would again propose the adoption of a law on free
zones. If it is better than similar laws in neighbouring countries,
the law would enable the opening of new jobs, Mesic believes.
Commenting on the reduction of the armed forces, Mesic said that the
situation in the army was stable and that the army personnel to be
laid off had to be provided for.
(hina) rml