ZAGREB, July 7 (Hina) - Most political parties in Croatia, both from the ruling coalition and the opposition, on Saturday held meetings of their senior bodies to take a stand on further cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal
(ICTY) after ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte confirmed in Zagreb yesterday that a month ago her office had sent the Croatian government two indictments, which, it is speculated, refer to two Croatian generals. The highest body of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) held a session in the European House in Zagreb today at which it entrusted party president Drazen Budisa and senior party leaders with taking a stand on the Hague indictments del Ponte addressed yesterday. The HSLS will not give up its previous view that hand-overs to the Hague must not be based on objective superior responsibility, Budisa told reporters. It would be in Croatia's interest to define, in
ZAGREB, July 7 (Hina) - Most political parties in Croatia, both from
the ruling coalition and the opposition, on Saturday held meetings
of their senior bodies to take a stand on further cooperation with
the Hague war crimes tribunal (ICTY) after ICTY Chief Prosecutor
Carla del Ponte confirmed in Zagreb yesterday that a month ago her
office had sent the Croatian government two indictments, which, it
is speculated, refer to two Croatian generals.
The highest body of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) held a
session in the European House in Zagreb today at which it entrusted
party president Drazen Budisa and senior party leaders with taking
a stand on the Hague indictments del Ponte addressed yesterday.
The HSLS will not give up its previous view that hand-overs to the
Hague must not be based on objective superior responsibility,
Budisa told reporters.
It would be in Croatia's interest to define, in talks with the
Hague, "all cases the Hague is potentially interested in instead of
allowing the destabilisation of relations in the country every few
months as new cases are initiated," Croatian People's Party (HNS)
president Vesna Pusic said at today's meeting of the party's
Central Committee.
The government should consider all aspects of the indictments and
decide about its further cooperation with the Hague, which cannot
be called into question, said Pusic.
"Cooperation with the Hague tribunal is a major challenge and the
moment of truth for Croatia because decisions in that regard will
significantly affect Croatia's political and economic future,"
Liberal Party's (LS) leader Zlatko Kramaric said at today's session
of the party's Central Committee.
We need a consensus among the citizens on this issue and we request
that the government coalition partners and parliament act very
responsibly. We must not be a hostage to anyone. Guilt must be
proven and individualised and we believe Croatia can face such a
challenge, especially as unrest will not do anyone any good,
Kramaric said.
(hina) sb rml