ZAGREB, Oct 11 (Hina) - The European Union on Friday forwarded a protest note to the Croatian government in which it expresses its strong support for the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and
the international community's resoluteness to bring all war crimes indictees to justice, the government's public relations office stated.
ZAGREB, Oct 11 (Hina) - The European Union on Friday forwarded a
protest note to the Croatian government in which it expresses its
strong support for the work of the International Criminal Tribunal
for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the international community's
resoluteness to bring all war crimes indictees to justice, the
government's public relations office stated. #L#
The protest note was given to Premier Ivica Racan by the European
Commission's Delegation chief in Croatia, Ambassador Jacques
Wunenburger, Greek Ambassador Dimitris Viduris, and the deputy of
the Italian Ambassador, Giovanni Davoli.
Present at the meeting was also Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino
Picula.
"The European Union's representatives handed over to the Croatian
government a protest note concerning Croatia's cooperation with
the Hague-based ICTY, and during the meeting they relayed the
Union's firm stand and its support for the work of the ICTY as well
as the international community's determination to see all war
crimes indictees brought to justice," the statement said.
The EU's representatives emphasised that the Union encouraged the
Croatian government to fully cooperate and continue honouring its
international obligations also in the case of the ICTY indictment
against General Janko Bobetko.
The EU is following with great concern the discussions which are
being held in Croatia in relation to the General Bobetko case, the
European diplomats said.
They said the full cooperation with the UN tribunal was an important
obligation of all countries in the region, regardless of their
national legislation, and that cooperation with the court would to
a great extent affect Croatia's efforts to come closer to the EU,
read the statement.
Premier Racan reiterated the known stands of the government on the
cooperation with the tribunal and the processing of war crimes.
The government will not push Croatia into conflicts with the
tribunal and the international community, and will not risk facing
sanctions, international isolation or jeopardising the progress
Croatia has made to date, Racan said.
At the end of the meeting, he said his cabinet understood the EU and
international community's concern and warnings, however, Croatia
expected its friends to show understanding and support in relation
to this issue too, the statement said.
(hina) ms sb