PROJECT ON STUDYING HOLOCAUST TO START IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, Jan 16 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic has agreed for a project on studying the Holocaust to be held under his auspices in Croatia as part of a mobile exhibition called "Courage To Remember", Efraim Zuroff, director of Jerusalem's Simon Wiesenthal Centre, said after meeting Mesic in Zagreb on Tuesday. #L# The project, which was established by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, has been implemented throughout the world very successfully, Zuroff told reporters. Zuroff hoped the exhibition would be staged throughout Croatia, at universities and in schools, so that this very important means of education could be made accessible. Zuroff said he was honoured to have met Mesic, whose stands on World War II and the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) he said differed from those of the former president Franjo Tudjman. President Mesic supports the solution of the cases of Nada Sakic and Ivo Rojnica, if there is sufficient evidence for indictments to be issued, Zuroff told reporters. Zuroff believes there is evidence against Nada Sakic and Ivo Rojnica and hopes indictments will be issued soon. Should Nada Sakic be unable to attend the trial due to health reasons, a decision to that effect will be made - this can happen too. It is not a happy solution but it happens, Zuroff said, adding it was most important that court proceedings, i.e. investigations, not be left unfinished. Mesic and Zuroff also discussed the opening of a special department within the Croatian Justice Ministry which would be in charge of World War II crimes for the next several years, as long as it is possible to bring perpetrators to justice. Zuroff said Mesic supported the proposal. The Simon Wiesenthal Centre will be in touch with President Mesic's Office in order to follow progress in these matters, as well as in the implementation of the education project, he said. (hina) sb rml