HSLS PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON LIBERAL INTERNATIONAL LETTER

ZAGREB, July 10 (Hina) - The president of Croatia's Social Liberals (HSLS) confirmed on Tuesday this ruling coalition party had received a letter in which the secretary-general of the Liberal International (LI) voiced concern with the situation in Croatia, in particular HSLS' conduct in connection with a government decision to extradite people on Hague war crimes tribunal indictments. HSLS president Drazen Budisa said LI secretary-general Jan Weijers had distanced himself in the letter by saying he had received all information through the media and leaving the possibility that they might be incorrect. Budisa informed Weijers that, according to unofficial information, Croatia would be faced with unacceptable political evaluations from the Hague indictments, but that he could not speak about them as long as they remained sealed. Budisa did not want to comment on claims that Northern Ireland's liberals had requested re-examining HSLS' membership in the LI. According to Zlatko Kramaric, the president of the Liberal Party (LS), also an LI member, the LI probably did not like the fact that some HSLS ministers voted against Croatia's compliance with international commitments. This does not mean the HSLS will be ousted from the LI, Kramaric said, adding the LI was just reconsidering if the HSLS was liberal enough for the LI. (hina) ha