NORAC SAYS IN INTERVIEW HE HAS NEVER KILLED CIVILIAN

SPLIT, Feb 13 (Hina) - General Mirko Norac, an on-the-run suspect in 1991 war crimes against civilians in Gospic, told Slobodna Dalmacija's issue of Wednesday he did not feel guilty, had chivalrously defended his homeland and never killed a civilian. Editor-in-chief Josip Jovic told Hina on Tuesday evening the Split- based newspaper would run an interview he made with Norac in Split on Sunday, under the headline "I Am Ready for Another Sacrifice." Jovic said the interview was conducted on the margins of a protest rally held against an arrest warrant issued for Norac. Norac is willing to be brought before a Croatian court, expecting a fair trial, he said. The retired general does not want to go to UN's war crimes tribunal in The Hague, added Jovic, quoting Norac as saying, "If I am assured that I will not be extradited to The Hague, I will appear before the County Court in Rijeka the same day on condition I be released on bail." Jovic said Norac had requested to be interviewed because he felt the need to thank through Slobodna Dalmacija the entire people, fellow fighters, generals, and all who had rallied in his support in Split. An arrest warrant for Norac was issued earlier last week. His whereabouts are unknown. (hina) ha