ZAGREB, July 8 (Hina) - A government decision of Saturday to grant the Hague war crimes tribunal's latest requests for the extradition of Croatian generals elicited on Sunday a series of negative reactions from the Croatian
Demo-Christians (HD), the HONOS, HIP, and UDHOS associations, and the New Croatian Right (NHD). The HD maintains that any sort of political bargaining, including with the Hague tribunal, must be excluded in issues pertaining to the security, territory, and dignity of the Croatian people and state, especially when the tribunal equates the aggressor and the victim. According to the HD, the fact that the tribunal's latest requests ascribe genocide to the Croatian side is insulting. The HD maintains the government cannot be the only body to decide on the matter, and that parliament should have its say, as well as all Croatian citizens at a referendum. The HONOS, an association protecting
ZAGREB, July 8 (Hina) - A government decision of Saturday to grant
the Hague war crimes tribunal's latest requests for the extradition
of Croatian generals elicited on Sunday a series of negative
reactions from the Croatian Demo-Christians (HD), the HONOS, HIP,
and UDHOS associations, and the New Croatian Right (NHD).
The HD maintains that any sort of political bargaining, including
with the Hague tribunal, must be excluded in issues pertaining to
the security, territory, and dignity of the Croatian people and
state, especially when the tribunal equates the aggressor and the
victim.
According to the HD, the fact that the tribunal's latest requests
ascribe genocide to the Croatian side is insulting. The HD
maintains the government cannot be the only body to decide on the
matter, and that parliament should have its say, as well as all
Croatian citizens at a referendum.
The HONOS, an association protecting the values of the early 1990s
Homeland Defence War, slammed the government decision, saying it
verged on treason.
The NHD urged the government to resign immediately in the wake of
"yesterday's disgraceful and treasonable decision to extradite
Croatian generals." In the contrary, the NHD seeks that parliament
deny the government confidence immediately.
The NHD also seeks the resignation of President Stipe Mesic because
"his quack conduct has got completely out of hand." The NHD expects
"Croatian army leaders" will not surrender without resisting those
who want to extradite them.
The HIP, an association promoting Croatian identity and
prosperity, opposed the government decision, saying it
criminalised the Homeland War, erased Croatia's status as a victim
of Serb aggression, and cynically sacrificed Croatian generals.
The HIP claims the indictments against Croatian officers lack
concrete evidence of guilt but are based on fabricated command
responsibility, which makes them legally and morally unfounded.
The HIP urged parliament to prevent the execution of the
government's anti-Croatian decision, and political parties and
associations to oppose it through democratic means.
The UDHOS, an association of Croatian Defence Forces volunteers,
protested against the decision, saying it elicited "rebellion and
disgust." Such a decision could only have been made by "a government
which does not protect national values but the policy of bargaining
and betraying all values achieved in the Homeland... War."
(hina) ha