MESIC: DECISION BY APPEALS CHAMBER IS EXPECTED

ZAGREB, Nov 30 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said on Saturday that the UN war crimes tribunal's Appeals Chamber's decision to dismiss applications filed by the Croatian government with regard to the indictment against general Janko Bobetko was expected because an indictment could be challenged only before a court. #L# Asked about reports that the Bobetko case has stalled the process of drawing closer to the European Union, Mesic said that regarding some European standards Croatia had done more than some countries that were closer to the EU, however, some other requirements remained to be met. Croatia must adopt a constitutional law on minority protection, regulate the issue of property restitution and facilitate refugee returns, Mesic said during a visit to a pavilion set up in downtown Zagreb on the occasion of World AIDS Day. Croatia must cooperate with the UN war crimes tribunal because all must be equal before the law, Mesic said. "A party scoring political points by preventing people from being interviewed by the tribunal makes no sense and sends a message that the party, if elected in elections, will adopt laws that are implemented selectively, i.e. that do not apply to all," Mesic said. One need not be afraid of national minorities, which can be a bridge of cooperation with neighbours and other peoples if cared for in a better way, the president said. "The law on national minorities should be adopted for our own sake, and not because of international pressures," he added. Commenting on claims that Croatian Army Chief-of-Staff Petar Stipetic would be sent into retirement, Mesic said it should be established if there were legal conditions for Stipetic to remain at his post. "The Constitutional Court is not authorised to make that decision, eventually it has to be signed by me," Mesic said. (hina) rml