SPECIAL POLICE UNITS EXERCISE IS REGULAR TRAINING -- INTERIOR MINISTRY

ZAGREB, Aug 29 (Hina) - The Croatian Interior Ministry today dismissed media speculations about today's special police units exercise being organised for the arrest of general Ante Gotovina who is fleeing from an arrest warrant, stressing the exercise is regular police training on their grounds. Such exercise is held at a regular basis as part of the special police units training programme, and in this case involves joint exercise for uniform, intervention and special police units, the ministry said in a statement. Police director Ranko Ostojic will be visiting the training grounds during the week-long exercise, as the special police is still under the direct command of the directorate. the directorate will be informing the public about the course and results of the exercise tomorrow afternoon, the ministry said. The Hague-based international war crimes tribunal has indicted General Gotovina of wars against humanity and the violation of the rules and customs of war, committed against Serbs during the Croatian military liberation operation "Storm". Gotovina is also indicted of personal and command responsibility for the persecution, killing and abuse of Serbs, destruction of villages and looting which occurred in the area under his command. Along with a sealed indictment, the Hague tribunal sent to the Croatian government on June 8 the warrant for the arrest and extradition of the indictee. The warrant was turned over to the Zagreb County Court on July 13, which issued the arrest warrant. On July 23, the Interior Ministry placed General on the wanted list. (hina) lml sb