ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - After one-day talks in Zagreb Monday, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan and chief prosecutor of the Hague-based international war crimes tribunal, Carla del Ponte, told reporters the meeting removed obstacles
to further cooperation between Zagreb and The Hague.
ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - After one-day talks in Zagreb Monday,
Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan and chief prosecutor of the
Hague-based international war crimes tribunal, Carla del Ponte,
told reporters the meeting removed obstacles to further
cooperation between Zagreb and The Hague. #L#
Del Ponte asserted she and Croatian officials did not discuss
indictments for war crimes committed in Croatia, and she did not
bring any indictments as the Croatian media have been announcing.
The chief prosecutor said a summons to Croatia's Armed Forces
Chief-of-Staff General Petar Stipetic followed his voiced wish to
hold talks.
Asked what might happen if General Stipetic refuses to talk, del
Ponte said this action would have no repercussions.
Legal experts who wished to remain anonymous explained after the
Hague prosecution withdraws the summons for talks, the person,
should he wish to talk with the investigators, has no longer the
status of a suspect or witness, but a status of a cooperative
person.
One issue remains open, which is, should Stipetic choose to talk
with the prosecution, in which manner will he discuss issues which
might intrude into the national security sphere.
Del Ponte and Racan stressed the prosecution is investigating
individual crimes, not the Homeland Defence War and Croatia's
military and police liberation operations "Flash" and "Storm".
A part of the Croatian public has accused the tribunal's
prosecution of criminalising Croatia's defence war through its
work.
Racan and del Ponte announced Monday the international war crimes
tribunal prosecution will withdraw a summons for talks extended to
General Stipetic last month.
The summons was the subject of controversy in the Croatian public
during the past several weeks because it was unclear whether
Stipetic was called to The Hague as a suspect or a witness.
Asked about announcements from Belgrade that Yugoslav President
Vojislav Kostunica is refusing to meet with del Ponte during her
upcoming visit, the chief prosecutor said she hoped Kostunica will
find time for her after all.
Del Ponte left Zagreb Monday night after a one-day working visit.
(hina) lml