RETIRED GENERALS APPLAUD GOVT'S DECISION TO PROCLAIM INDICTMENT UNCONSTITUTIONAL

ZAGREB, Sept 21 (Hina) - Retired Croatian generals support the government's stance on proclaiming the indictment against Staff General Janko Bobetko unconstitutional, and believe that this should be only the first step in the gradual reviewing of relations between Croatia and the Hague-based international war crimes tribunal #L# Some twenty retired generals held a closed-door meeting in Zagreb on Saturday night at which they endorsed an initiative by parliamentary parties that the Constitutional Law on cooperation with the Hague tribunal should be thoroughly examined and changed. Croatia must not allow the destruction of its basic values because this is a question of future of the Croatian people, their dignity, freedom, pride and honour, says a statement issued after the meeting. The generals harshly denounced the indictment against Bobetko, viewing the indictment as one against them all, against all Croatian veterans and the entire Croatian people. They expressed belief in the unconstitutionality of indictments against generals Ante Gotovina and Rahim Ademi, as well as others. They call on the entire Croatian public, political parties and government institutions to stand in defence of the highest values of the Croatian state, to protect their personal rights, and the right of the Croatian people to defence. Croatia is today on a turning point and "the persecution of Croatian generals and war-time commanders, the persecution of all that which represents the struggle of the Croatian people for independence and sovereignty" continues, the generals warned. Croatia was founded on Homeland War values and the fight of the Croatian people for freedom and independence. Those who defended their homes are not war criminals, the statement says. (hina) lml