REMAINS FROM KNIN CEMETERY WILL BE IDENTIFIED IN ZAGREB

KNIN, April 19 (Hina) - Preparations for the start of exhumation works in the central cemetery in Knin are being wrapped up and the exhumation could start at the end of this week. The exhumed remains will then be transferred to Zagreb for identification. Ivo Vukelja, one of the four Sibenik County Court judges the State Prosecution appointed to participate in an investigation into the Knin victims, said today that Hague investigators expected to unearth 253 bodies in the Knin cemetery. Regardless of the sizeable equipment the international representatives have brought with them to Knin, the bodies will be taken to Zagreb, where the processing and identification will continue. The head of the Croatian Commission for Detained and Missing Persons, Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Grujic, told Hina today the victims buried in the Knin cemetery included a large number of soldiers of the Croatian and Bosnian Serb rebel armies. All bodies were buried in the presence of a Catholic priest as no Orthodox priest was available to conduct the burial. A detailed report on the victims and the names of those whose identity could be established was forwarded to the U.N. and there are absolutely no secrets in the Knin cemetery, Grujic said, adding the cooperation with the Hague investigators was good. The number of victims in the operation "Storm" ranges between 700 and 1,000, Grujic said, adding he was surprised at the interest of the media in the Knin exhumation. So far, a total of 3,200 bodies have been exhumed throughout Croatia without media fanfare and some of those exhumations have helped the Hague prosecution issue war crimes indictments, he said. The Knin branch of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) told reporters today the party would not participate in the organisation of protest rallies, which have been announced for Monday by the Association of Croatian Disabled War Veterans (HVIDRA) and an association for the protection of the dignity of the Homeland War (also called the Headquarters for the Protection of the Dignity of the Homeland War). The HSP from Knin supports the rallies and calls on its members to take part in them. (hina) rml