ZAGREB, Aug 31 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ante Simonic has said Slovenia and Croatia must do all they can to defuse tensions and solve "the Joras case".
ZAGREB, Aug 31 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ante Simonic
has said Slovenia and Croatia must do all they can to defuse
tensions and solve "the Joras case". #L#
"In the process of solving it, one should respect the right of both
sides to protect their national interests and dignity, as well as
the interests of individuals, although they must not be above
general interests," Simonic said in an interview on Croatian
Television on Friday evening commenting on a decision by Slovene
cultural workers to stage a protest in front of the house of Jozko
Joras on Saturday.
Simonic believed that "adding fuel to the flames, regardless of who
does it, can be dangerous," and added that Croatian laws had to be
respected.
Simonic said that according to his information, the protest had not
been registered, and it had to take place in line with Croatian
laws. He expressed concern that the rally could provoke a reaction
on the Croatian side, adding that incidents did no good to either
side.
Speaking about the border in Piran Bay, Simonic said that
arbitration seemed the most probable solution and that he supported
it. Arbitration must be conducted expertly and quickly and in a fair
manner, he said, adding that Croatia and Slovenia should agree in
advance to accept and respect arbitration results.
The deputy prime minister repeated that arbitration on the entire
border between the two countries was unacceptable for Croatia.
Jozko Joras, a Slovene citizens living in the Croatian hamlet of
Mlini in Buje municipality, has been serving his 30-day sentence in
the Pula prison since August 21 for failing to pay fines he was
ordered to pay after court proceedings conducted against him at the
Umag Magistrate's Court since 1999.
(hina) rml