ATTORNEY: GOVT DECISION TO RETURN INDICTMENT IS CHEAP BUYING OF TIME

ZAGREB, Sept 20 (Hina) - Bosiljko Misetic, a defence attorney for General Janko Bobetko, said on Friday night that today's government decision to return the indictment against Bobetko to the Hague- based tribunal was perhaps in Prime Minister Ivica Racan's best intentions, but a cheap buying of time nevertheless. #L# The tribunal returned the blow, however, which was to be expected, and returned the indictment, he said. In the legal sense, "we are back to square one and I would be glad if the government maintains its credibility not to make any decisions before a parliamentary discussion," Misetic said. Pointing out that the date on the indictment was August 23, Misetic said he believed that the Croatian vice-premier in charge of relations with the tribunal, had spoken very skilfully, even misguided the Croatian people and MPs. When Granic received a request from the tribunal asking that talks be held with General Bobetko as a suspect, he must have known that investigative acts could not be undertaken with Bobetko already being an indictee. The government must have known an indictment had been issued. They pretended and explained that this would be some sort of interview, so we lost time agreeing on where the talks should be held. Misetic expressed his fear that they had then detected the political attitude of the public and MPs and skilfully bought time. "I cannot believe that the government learnt of the indictment with that date on it only two days ago," he said. Th government must now also discuss the content of the indictment, Misetic said adding that, although he had not read it in detail, the indictment contained provisions which were in contrast to the parliamentary Declaration of the Homeland War and the Croatian Constitution. Based on this, Racan and the government have manoeuvre space to sustain some dignity, he said. If the government makes a decision before a parliamentary debate, that would be the end of it, Misetic said, adding that his suggestion in that case was that MPs should request an extraordinary session to bind Racan in some way, if he was under pressure to act by the tribunal's orders. Stressing that he wished to believe Racan's promises, Misetic fears the worst, because when visiting Bobetko in his home, he saw police vehicles in surrounding streets. A hasty government decision on the tribunal's urgent request could have very bad consequences for which Racan could never make amends, Misetic said. (hina) lml