ZAGREB, July 13 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's Speaker, Zlatko Tomcic, on late Friday night said he allowed the possibility that a mistake had been made with a decision that the Sabor should hold a discussion on the relations
between Zagreb and the UN war crimes tribunal (ICTY) behind the closed doors.
ZAGREB, July 13 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's Speaker, Zlatko
Tomcic, on late Friday night said he allowed the possibility that a
mistake had been made with a decision that the Sabor should hold a
discussion on the relations between Zagreb and the UN war crimes
tribunal (ICTY) behind the closed doors.#L#
A discussion was asked by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ)
earlier this week in the wake of the July 7 government's decision to
comply with ICTY requests about the hand-over of Croatian citizens.
The HDZ demand was prompted by the fact that Zagreb was recently
served two sealed indictments and HDZ members asked that government
officials inform the Sabor whether the indictments contained
unacceptable political labels for the Croatian Homeland Defence
War.
Upon the completion of today's sitting, Tomcic said this day was
marked by mind-numbing and hard discussion and consultations with
the aim that the debate on the said issue as well as on the motion for
a vote of confidence in the incumbent government be prepared as
better as possible.
He said additional consultations were also necessary as benches of
some parties, which make up the ruling coalition, showed some
doubts.
We wanted to achieve homogeneity in the coalition and I believe we
have succeeded in it. and that this will be proved at tomorrow's
session of a senior body, 'Veliko Vijece', of the Social Liberals
(HSLS), Tomcic added.
Tomcic confirmed that a letter with objections which Premier Ivica
Racan forwarded to The Hague upon receiving the indictments had
recently been read out before leaders of the five ruling parties.
Asked how it was possible that the letter was not read out in the
Sabor hall to MPs, Tomcic answered "it was possible." He explained
that there is a higher risk that the indictments be disclosed in the
public when a broader circle of people is acquainted with their
contents.
Responsible officials should not allow that secret indictments be
made public, or Croatia may face sanctions.
(hina) ms