ZAGREB, July 12 (Hina) - Politicians, members of the parliament, responded differently on Thursday's open letter of 11 prominent Croatian sportsmen who urged the protection of Croatian generals. The common point in the reactions is
the assertion that athletes, like other citizens, can comment on political events. Liberal Party (LS) President Zlatko Kramaric has said he has nothing against the sportsmen commenting on political developments, but warned it was not the time for provoking additional tension and for politicising. He stressed that one must realise what is the alternative to the Government's decision in concern. Croatian People's Party (HNS) President Vesna Pusic has said the law is the law and should be enforced. Any manipulation is out of question, she added. Snjezana Biga-Friganovic, a parliamentary representative of Social Democrats (SDP) recalled that in 1996 the Sabor passed a law on the coop
ZAGREB, July 12 (Hina) - Politicians, members of the parliament,
responded differently on Thursday's open letter of 11 prominent
Croatian sportsmen who urged the protection of Croatian generals.
The common point in the reactions is the assertion that athletes,
like other citizens, can comment on political events.
Liberal Party (LS) President Zlatko Kramaric has said he has
nothing against the sportsmen commenting on political
developments, but warned it was not the time for provoking
additional tension and for politicising. He stressed that one must
realise what is the alternative to the Government's decision in
concern.
Croatian People's Party (HNS) President Vesna Pusic has said the
law is the law and should be enforced. Any manipulation is out of
question, she added.
Snjezana Biga-Friganovic, a parliamentary representative of
Social Democrats (SDP) recalled that in 1996 the Sabor passed a law
on the cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal, and emphasised
that both the government and Sabor took a position in favour of the
cooperation with the Tribunal; otherwise Croatia would have no
prospects.
Ivic Pasalic of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) praised the 11
signatories to the letter saying that it should make politicians
think, given that one of those signatories is the latest Wimbledon
champion, Goran Ivanisevic.
The 11 athletes on Thursday forwarded an open letter to the Croatian
government and parliament expressing their shock at the news that
the Ivica Racan Cabinet decided to comply with the UN war crimes
court's request for the hand-over of two Croats named in sealed
indictments.
"The news that the Croatian government made a decision on the
extradition of two Croatian generals to the Tribunal has shocked
us," read the open letter. It was signed by internationals: soccer
players Aljosa Asanovic, Slaven Bilic, Alen Boksic, Igor Stimac,
Davor Suker and Zvonimir Baban, basketball players Franjo
Arapovic, Veljko Mrsic, Dino Radja and Stojko Vrankovic, and tennis
player Ivanisevic.
The government made that decision on 7 July. The indictments are
sealed and their contents must not be disclosed until the transfer
of the indictees in question. The media, however, speculate that
potential indictees are two generals, Rahim Ademi and Ante
Gotovina.
(hina) sb ms