AMBASSADOR TO UN: SECURITY COUNCIL WILL NOT ACT HASTILY

ZAGREB, Sept 22 (Hina) - The Croatian Ambassador at the UN, Ivan Simonovic, believes that the Security Council will not act hastily if Croatia is reported because of its reaction to the indictment the international war crimes tribunal issued against General Janko Bobetko, mostly because the indictment does not contribute to peace and security, but quite the opposite. This indictment is destabilising Croatia which is itself aware that its war criminals should be punished. #L# "I think there are more arguments for the UN Security Council not to act hastily to a possible report against Croatia," Simonovic told the Croatian Television over the telephone on Sunday night. The indictment against General Bobetko "does not contribute to security and peace, but quite the contrary. It is destabilising to Croatia which is on the right path which includes an awareness that it itself must punish its war criminals," Simonovic said. He added that the UN Security Council did not react to earlier reports against other countries of the former Yugoslavia, which, he said, at one time, related to Croatia. Simonovic recalled that the UN Security Council had established the Hague-based tribunal to contribute to the development of peace and security in the area of the former Yugoslavia. He expressed hope that the Council of Europe would take into consideration all elements in its political assessment. "We should be aware, however, that the international community does tend to view issues in a simple manner, meaning you are okay if you cooperate with The Hague, and bad if you do not, notwithstanding some possible mistakes by Hague itself," he said. Stressing that one could only speculate about the reactions of Security Council members, Simonovic said China, when it came to international processes, was rather reserved, while some members, such as the United States and Russia, also indicated a certain caution because o their involvement in some ongoing conflicts. (hina) lml