BRITISH OFFICIAL: IT'S UP TO CROATIA IF IT WANTS TO BE PART OF EUROPE

ZAGREB, Oct 16 (Hina) - British state secretary for Southeast Europe Dennis McShea told Croatian Radio on Wednesday that Croatia would be the one to decide if it wanted to be part of Europe or if it would persist in refusing European norms. #L# The interview with McShea comes after Great Britain's decision yesterday to suspend the ratification of Croatia's Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union due to Croatia's refusal to extradite General Janko Bobetko to the UN war crimes tribunal at The Hague. Explaining his country's decision, McShea said Croatia and every other country in the region could not accept only the part which was to their liking, i.e. drawing closer to Europe, while simultaneously refusing to bow to international rule-of-law, which in this case was represented by the Hague tribunal. The choice is between living according to the rule-of-law and behaving as aliens, said McShea. Asked if the EU would impose sanctions against Croatia, he said a variety of relations between Croatia and Great Britain, and Croatia and the EU, would be examined. McShea said Great Britain and the EU wanted to help the development of Croatian economy, boost trade and investment, but that this was part of a package and not a menu to choose from. The British official said the latest crisis had been caused by Croatia's conduct. He hoped the prime minister and the government would convince Bobetko to accept his responsibility and surrender to the Hague tribunal. Planes fly from Zagreb to the Netherlands every day and Mr Bobetko could be on one of them as early as today or tomorrow, he said. Boarding a plane Bobetko would do his duty towards Croatia's citizens and eliminate the issue of contention between Croatia and Europe and the entire international community. (hina) ha sb