ZAGREB, July 8 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Sunday afternoon nobody should talk about indictments from the Hague war crimes tribunal as long as they were sealed, including himself and Drazen Budisa, the president of the
Social Liberals (HSLS). "Neither I nor... Budisa can talk about the indictments as long as they are sealed. It is punishable," the PM told Hina. "I can only say that in the letter to the Hague's Prosecutor's Office, I expressed complaints about specific points. When the indictments become public, so will my complaints, which are listed very precisely," said Racan. The PM did not want to speak about the indictments the government had received from the Hague, nor comment on claims Budisa made earlier today to the effect that they "contain unacceptable political assessments of the genocidal character of the Homeland Defence War and the Croatian army's liberation operations.
ZAGREB, July 8 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Sunday
afternoon nobody should talk about indictments from the Hague war
crimes tribunal as long as they were sealed, including himself and
Drazen Budisa, the president of the Social Liberals (HSLS).
"Neither I nor... Budisa can talk about the indictments as long as
they are sealed. It is punishable," the PM told Hina.
"I can only say that in the letter to the Hague's Prosecutor's
Office, I expressed complaints about specific points. When the
indictments become public, so will my complaints, which are listed
very precisely," said Racan.
The PM did not want to speak about the indictments the government
had received from the Hague, nor comment on claims Budisa made
earlier today to the effect that they "contain unacceptable
political assessments of the genocidal character of the Homeland
Defence War and the Croatian army's liberation operations."
Explaining what he meant when he said on Saturday he would examine
legal possibilities to turn down the resignation of Deputy PM Goran
Granic (HSLS), Racan said: "I was simply referring to procedure."
He reminded resignations are submitted to the PM, who either
accepts them or not. "We can still talk about it," said Racan,
adding this referred to the other three HSLS ministers who had
resigned as well.
Racan said that in deciding on the Hague requests at yesterday's
extraordinary government session, the HSLS ministers tried to deal
with their conflict between loyalty to the government and their
party in different ways.
"I don't think they should have been brought in that position, but I
cannot comment further. It is every party's right, including the
HSLS."
The PM declined to guess about the possible outcome of a
parliamentary vote of confidence in the government. "I will not
speculate. I am ready for both options. We must not be
underestimated."
He said the government had a difficult task regarding the Hague
indictments and the economic situation. "The government may work
more or less successfully only if there is an at least minimum
degree of order and consistency in its activity, if it has the
confidence, support of the ruling coalition."
"If we don't enjoy that support, I will not regret leaving, and if we
get it we shall go on even more resolutely," said Racan.
He confirmed early elections would be scheduled if the government
failed to win parliament's vote of confidence. "I see no other way
out of the crisis. Early elections are not the option I advocate,
but if they are inevitable I will agree," the PM told Hina.
Around 17.00 hours Racan met with his deputy Granic and the
ministers of justice and the interior, Stjepan Ivanisevic and Sime
Lucin. No statements were made when they left two hours later. Racan
had said earlier they were meeting for coffee.
(hina) ha