ZAGREB, Oct 11 (Hina) - The parliament on Friday endorsed the requests of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) to discuss amendments to the Constitutional Law on Cooperation with the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The debate is scheduled to take place on Thursday. Also included in the agenda is HSLS's additional request to introduce a moratorium on cooperation with the Hague-based tribunal until the Constitutional Court voices its opinion on the law.
ZAGREB, Oct 11 (Hina) - The parliament on Friday endorsed the
requests of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the Croatian
Social Liberal Party (HSLS) to discuss amendments to the
Constitutional Law on Cooperation with the International Criminal
Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The debate is scheduled
to take place on Thursday. Also included in the agenda is HSLS's
additional request to introduce a moratorium on cooperation with
the Hague-based tribunal until the Constitutional Court voices its
opinion on the law. #L#
Even though the parliamentary majority supports the Opposition's
right to a debate, it believes that the debate would be counter-
productive and that it reduces the government's manoeuvring space
in "the Bobetko case".
Explaining the reasons why they persisted on a debate on the
amendments to the law on cooperation with the Hague-based tribunal
and a request for a moratorium, the HDZ and the HSLS said that
contrary to the government's belief, the debate would not
jeopardise, but strengthen Bobetko's defence and national
interests, as well as government's future steps in relations with
the Hague-based tribunal.
On behalf of the HDZ bench, Vladimir Seks said that their request
for the debate was not a request for a cancellation or obstruction
of cooperation with the Hague-based tribunal, but a request for the
adjustment of the Croatian law on cooperation with the ICTY to those
existing in Italy, France, Germany and the United States.
The HDZ hailed the government's decision not to allow Bobetko's
extradition immediately, as it had been the case with Generals Ante
Gotovina and Rahim Ademi, but to enter a legal dispute with the
ICTY, submitting two appeals against Bobetko's indictment.
Agreeing with Seks, Josko Kontic of the HSLS said that the latest
parliamentary debate on Bobetko's indictment had strengthened the
position of the government and Croatia in the dispute with the
Hague, and that one must not fear this discussion either.
On behalf of the coordinating body of the benches of the
parliamentary majority, Mato Arlovic said the coalition was ready
to hold a debate which would end with passing decisions on both
proposals.
He said that amendments to the constitutional law on cooperation
with the Hague-based tribunal were possible, adding however, it
would have no legal effect unless it was harmonised with UN Security
Council Resolution on the ICTY and the ICTY Statute. Arlovic
believes amendments could have very detrimental consequences for
Croatia.
The parliament ended this week's sitting. The session will resume
on Wednesday with a discussion on the programme of measures which
aim at better efficiency in the criminal prosecution of
perpetrators of economic embezzlements and war crimes and reports
on the work of the Council and Steering Council of Croatian Radio
Television.
(hina) it sb