ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Wednesday reiterated that in the case of the indictment against General Janko Bobetko, the Croatian government was looking for and believes that it would successfully find
a form of solution that would satisfy the government, General Bobetko and the Tribunal at The Hague. He announced that he would resign if the Government did not succeed in this, that is, if a conflict were to arise with the ICTY and the international community.
ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on
Wednesday reiterated that in the case of the indictment against
General Janko Bobetko, the Croatian government was looking for and
believes that it would successfully find a form of solution that
would satisfy the government, General Bobetko and the Tribunal at
The Hague. He announced that he would resign if the Government did
not succeed in this, that is, if a conflict were to arise with the
ICTY and the international community. #L#
The Premier did not wish to comment on speculations that the Hague-
based Tribunal could give up the proceedings against General
Bobetko due to his health if he agreed to a medical examination.
Racan reiterated that the government was looking for a solution
that would not put Croatia in conflict with the Hague, the
international community or that could lead to isolation and
sanctions.
"If we do not succeed, then I will resign," Racan said resolutely.
The Croatian government is aware of the full weight of the situation
and the need to respond responsibly at this time and to act along
these lines, he said, pointing out that he was optimistic with
regard to the legal dispute with the Hague-based tribunal and
believed in its success.
The issue of the Hague indictment against General Bobetko was one of
the topics at a meeting between Racan and representatives of
international institutions.
Racan stressed that the international representatives reiterated
the attitude of the international community and that they expected
Croatia's full co-operation with the Hague Tribunal, adding that
this was also the Croatian government's strategy. What the Croatian
government is doing now is along the line of co-operation and using
rights that the government has within the framework of this coo-
operation, said Racan, and stressed that this could not be
interpreted as obstructing the work of the Hague Tribunal.
The Premier stressed that the issue of the indictment against
General Bobetko was one of the more important issues but not the
only one discussed at a meeting with international institutions'
representatives.
Other topics discussed related to refugee returns, the
constitutional law on minority rights, media reforms and reforms in
the judiciary.
(hina) sp it sb