ZAGREB, Nov 25 (Hina) - Commenting on statements about the retirement of the Croatian Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff, General Petar Stipetic, President Stjepan Mesic has said he believes Stipetic's status is not disputable because he was
appointed to the post and is not subject to the procedure applied to other officers.
ZAGREB, Nov 25 (Hina) - Commenting on statements about the
retirement of the Croatian Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff, General
Petar Stipetic, President Stjepan Mesic has said he believes
Stipetic's status is not disputable because he was appointed to the
post and is not subject to the procedure applied to other officers.
#L#
"One should see if there are legal conditions for Stipetic to remain
at his post so that he could contribute to the transformation of the
Armed Forces," Mesic said in an interview with Croatian Radio on
Monday.
Commenting on last week's protests of Sisak Ironworks' employees,
Mesic said "it is allowed to protest, but no one has the right to
block a road, stripping others of the right to work". He added the
financial soundness of the company which bought the Ironworks for
one kuna should have been investigated before it was sold.
"Regarding police intervention, one should see if the police
exceeded their powers and if so, establish responsibility. It is
also not fair that some have used the workers' dissatisfaction for
political purposes while they were the ones who contributed to the
destruction of large systems and tycoonisation," Mesic said.
He stated there was no reason for unrest because the production was
mildly increasing, the tourist season was successful, and "a new
investment cycle can be launched".
Mesic would not comment on the decision of the Split County Court in
the Lora trial to acquit former policemen accused of war crimes,
stating only that the Supreme Court would decide if the verdict was
legal and fair. Stressing that he was not speaking about the Split
trial, Mesic said "the tribunal at The Hague would deal with crimes
were committed but have not been punished".
Speaking about Croatia's non-admission to NATO, Mesic said the
reason for that was, among other things, "our not having accepted
the necessary standards".
"In such conditions the Croatian diplomacy could not have done more
either, because relations with the Hague-based tribunal have
become complicated and the law on minorities, which should have
been adopted already, has not been adopted," Mesic said.
"One should not be afraid of minorities, including the Serbs,
despite some extremist claims," Mesic said.
(hina) rml sb