ZAGREB, July 15 (Hina) - A biography about Croatian General Ante Gotovina entitled "Warrior, Adventurer and General" (in an unofficial translation) written by Nenad Ivankovic, was promoted in the Sports' Hall in Zagreb on Saturday
evening. The promotion turned into a political gathering attended by a few thousand people. The book is about retired General Gotovina, who is believed, according to media speculation, to be one of two indictees named in two sealed indictments recently served to Zagreb by the UN war crimes tribunal (ICTY). Present at this event were many retired generals of the Croatian Army and the Bosnian Defence Council (HVO), and MPs from the ranks of two opposition parties - the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) and the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) - who strongly condemn the Croatian government's decision to comply with the ICTY's request about the hand-over of the suspects wanted by
ZAGREB, July 15 (Hina) - A biography about Croatian General Ante
Gotovina entitled "Warrior, Adventurer and General" (in an
unofficial translation) written by Nenad Ivankovic, was promoted
in the Sports' Hall in Zagreb on Saturday evening.
The promotion turned into a political gathering attended by a few
thousand people.
The book is about retired General Gotovina, who is believed,
according to media speculation, to be one of two indictees named in
two sealed indictments recently served to Zagreb by the UN war
crimes tribunal (ICTY).
Present at this event were many retired generals of the Croatian
Army and the Bosnian Defence Council (HVO), and MPs from the ranks
of two opposition parties - the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) and
the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) - who strongly condemn the
Croatian government's decision to comply with the ICTY's request
about the hand-over of the suspects wanted by the Tribunal.
In addition, two members of Croatian Social Liberals (HSLS), which
is a part of the ruling coalition, Josko Kontic and Mario Kovac,
also attended the promotion. Upon their arrival in the hall, they
were greeted by thunderous applause. Earlier on Saturday Kontic
stepped down as a Vice-President of the HSLS, explaining that he was
going to vote against confidence in the Ivica Racan Cabinet during
Sunday's parliamentary ballot on this motion as he disagreed with
the Government's intention to act in accordance with the Tribunal's
requests about generals' extradition.
Addressing the gathered, retired General Janko Bobetko described
the alleged issuing of a warrant for the arrest of General Gotovina
as "casting a blot upon all of us and as proclaiming the entire
Croatian people to be genocidal."
Who has the right to offend so gravely the dignity of Croatia's war
veterans, Bobetko wandered.
He added that veterans "are again willing to make sacrifice, but
holding their heads high and not on knees."
Bobetko warned that the incumbent authorities would be held
responsible for treason.
Bobekto's speech was greeted by thunderous applause, chanting and
shouts of some slogans.
An academician and writer, Ivan Aralica, who is one of the prominent
HDZ members, asked for the replacement of the current authorities
by democratic methods.
He said "if we do not want to be ashamed before our children, we must
do everything to protect the Homeland War's values, as we thus
protect the foundations of our freedom and independence."
The book's author, Ivankovic, said the biography presented the life
of General Gotovina who joined the Foreign Legion when he was 18.
For 20 years he fought as an legionnaire in various battlefields,
and at the out-break of the war in his homeland, he returned to
Croatia where he joined the Croatian Army and defended the
motherland in all the important battles.
The book, published in 3,000 copies, has been sponsored by several
Croatian sport stars who signed a letter of support to generals a
few days ago.
Gen. Gotovina was not present at the promotion.
(hina) ms