ZAGREB, Oct 22 (Hina) - The Association of Volunteers and Veterans of the Homeland War (UDVDR) has forwarded a letter to the president of the Croatian Judges' Association, Vladimir Gredelj, in which it contests the candidacy of Milos
Vojnovic for a county court judge in Vukovar or any other part of Croatia.
ZAGREB, Oct 22 (Hina) - The Association of Volunteers and Veterans
of the Homeland War (UDVDR) has forwarded a letter to the president
of the Croatian Judges' Association, Vladimir Gredelj, in which it
contests the candidacy of Milos Vojnovic for a county court judge in
Vukovar or any other part of Croatia. #L#
The association, with General Djuro Decak at the helm, says it is
"well-acquainted with Milos Vojnovic's activities in the occupied
Croatian Danube River Region during the Homeland War," adding that
it is "incomprehensible that support is being given to a man who was
sentenced to 12 years in prison for rebellion against Croatia".
The letter, which Gredelj received on Tuesday, says Vojnovic is "a
proven Serbian chauvinist", who cannot pass judgements in
accordance with the laws of a country against which he fought.
The self-proclaimed government of the so-called SAO Krajina -
formerly occupied Croatian areas - appointed Vojnovic president of
its Supreme Court in September 1992.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Osijek County Court for
rebellion against the Republic of Croatia, but was later amnestied
pursuant to a decision by the Croatian government.
Vojnovic is currently a vice-president of the Independent
Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) and a member of the Vukovar City
Council.
The volunteers and veterans say they expect that "only those people
who were and remained honourable citizens of the Republic of
Croatia, even if they are Serbs, can pass judgements on behalf of
the Republic of Croatia".
The State Judicial Council (DSV) makes decisions on the appointment
of judges. The co-ordinating body of veterans' associations sent a
letter to the DSV on Thursday, opposing Vojnovic's candidacy. The
Vukovar County Court's Judges' Council has given a positive
assessment of Vojnovic's candidacy.
The Vukovar-Srijem County branch of the Croatian True Revival party
(HIP) and a Split-based association of veterans, "Brodosplit",
have also opposed Vojnovic's candidacy.
Commenting on the letter sent to the DSV by the coordinating body of
veterans' association, Vojnovic on Friday said nothing in it
"corresponds to the truth, except that a sentence was passed and
that I was amnestied", while the rest "are insinuations and half-
truths". Vojnovic confirmed that he did not intend to give up his
candidacy.
(hina) lml sb