DEL PONTE SAYS SHE WON'T CHANGE GOTOVINA INDICTMENT

VUKOVAR, May 7 (Hina) - The chief prosecutor with the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal, Carla del Ponte, said in Vukovar on Tuesday she did not intend to change anything in the indictment against Croatian general Ante Gotovina, who is at large. #L# Asked if any part of the Gotovina indictment might be altered if he surrendered, del Ponte told state television the indictment would remain as it was. The real truth about what happened is found during trial, when cases are explained and witnesses interrogated, she said, adding that possible changes in the indictment would depend on evidence, especially that from the defence. Del Ponte recalled that she discussed Gotovina with Prime Minister Ivica Racan yesterday. She stressed the general must be arrested and handed over to the Hague tribunal. She said she was certain the government was politically willing to do so, but added the problem was Gotovina's whereabouts. Asked if it was correct that the tribunal would issue new indictments against Croats this autumn, the chief prosecutor said the tribunal was conducting investigations and would issue indictments after having collected evidence. The tribunal is dealing with Croatia too, she added. Del Ponte ended her day-long visit to eastern Slavonia by stopping at Ilok. Speaking about what she had seen and heard about the suffering in the Serbian aggression in 1991 while talking to many witnesses, del Ponte said she could feel the suffering the local population had gone through. It is something that becomes etched in one's memory and it is imperative that they repeat in the courtroom what they told me, she said. Del Ponte also said the relationship between the Hague tribunal and the Croatian government was good. (hina) ha