ZAGREB, Feb 16 (Hina) - The head of Croatia's parliamentary delegation at the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Mirjana Feric-Vac, on Friday sent Council of Europe Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer a letter expressing
dissatisfaction with his statement on events in Croatia related to to "general Mriko Norac case". "We hold calls for the continuation of cooperation with the ICTY unfounded because that cooperation is unquestionable. The case of General Mirko Norac is a case of the Croatian judiciary. The protests of citizens are their legitimate right which Croatian authorities will not deny becasue that, too, is part of democracy and the rule-of-law. The parliamentary debate on that topic, which is underway, shows, regrettably, that some parties are using the protesters' motives for their politicial and party purposes," reads the letter. Commenting on last weekend's Split protests of Croatian war
ZAGREB, Feb 16 (Hina) - The head of Croatia's parliamentary
delegation at the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly,
Mirjana Feric-Vac, on Friday sent Council of Europe Secretary-
General Walter Schwimmer a letter expressing dissatisfaction with
his statement on events in Croatia related to to "general Mriko
Norac case".
"We hold calls for the continuation of cooperation with the ICTY
unfounded because that cooperation is unquestionable. The case of
General Mirko Norac is a case of the Croatian judiciary. The
protests of citizens are their legitimate right which Croatian
authorities will not deny becasue that, too, is part of democracy
and the rule-of-law. The parliamentary debate on that topic, which
is underway, shows, regrettably, that some parties are using the
protesters' motives for their politicial and party purposes,"
reads the letter.
Commenting on last weekend's Split protests of Croatian war
veterans' associations, Scwimmer on Tuesday urged the authorities
to continue fulfilling their international obligations, including
their cooperation with the ICTY, and expressed concern about, he
said, the dangerous demonstration of nationalism and manipulation
of partiotic feelings. He explained subesequently that politicial
forces in some former Yugoslav states should not use the issue of
processing war crimes and cooperation with the Hague war crimes
tribunal in their inter-party conflicts.
"The parties of the ruling colaition are determined to implement
all measures which ensure the rule-of-law, respect for human rights
and democracy in the country. We therefore expect that the
international community, too, will continue supporting democratic
processes in Croatia which will result in Croatia's joining Euro-
Atlantic integration processes, thus significantly facilitating
the process of belated transition," Ferc-Vac said in her letter.
She held the communication between the Croatian parliamentary
delegation and the Council of Europe good, wondering why no use had
been made of such communication also in the latest case, with the
aim of gaining insight into the actual state of affairs. That would
certianly be a contribution to an approach based on precise
details, important for both sides, she said.
Schwimmer yesterday sent a letter to Croatian Prime Minister Ivica
Racan expressing support for Croatia in the process of transition
and understanding for the problems its government was facing.
(hina) rml