PRESIDENT'S OFFICE REACTS TO OFFENSIVE STATEMENT OF MPS

ZAGREB, July 18 (Hina) - A recent parliamentary session on Croatia's relations with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was used for presenting not only completely unfounded but also extremely offensive statements about Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, the President's Office said in a statement Wednesday. The Office warned the statements were not reacted upon in an adequate manner. The President's Office protested against statements said in the parliament, namely that "the President of Croatia testified against his own country before an international tribunal" or "the President is equalising the Homeland War soldiers with the greater Serbian fascists". The President's Office stressed President Mesic's statements on all relevant issues, particularly on Croatia's relations with the ICTY and the responsibility for the outbreak of war in former Yugoslavia, were always completely clear and unambiguous, adding there was no need for additional explanation or interpretation. The behaviour of certain MPs was assessed as a "political set up" directed against the only policy which was bringing Croatia closer to European integration and the President as the key protagonist of the policy. The President's Office expressed hope the Croatian parliament would not become a place for uncontrollable and offensive incidents, the statement, signed by the Office's secretary Zeljko Bagic, read. (hina) np/it sb