US ATTORNEYS COMMENT ON INDICTMENT AGAINST CRO GENERAL GOTOVINA

WASHINGTON, Aug 31 (Hina) - The trial against Ante Gotovina before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is a great challenge for the United States and NATO, Washington attorneys David Rivkin and Lee Casey told daily "Wall Street Journal" on Friday. According to them, the indictment against the Croatian general gives rise to the question whether the western war doctrine, implemented by the United States and NATO can be proclaimed illegal, and if it is entirely in line with traditional international rights and history norms. Rivkin and Casey reminded that the indictment against Gotovina was based on his command responsibility and Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte believed that the Croatian military and police liberation operation "Storm" was criminal starting with the idea to its implementation because thousands of Serb civilians were forced to flee their homes. The two attorneys said "Storm" was conducted in line with highest NATO standards: "the rapid intervention offensive with the use of highly mobile land units, great fire power and air support, was planned to be a crucial one. Furthermore, it was implemented in a way which enabled civilians to leave the conflict area, which was until now in line with the war regulations. The two attorneys expect the ICTY to call former United States officials to take the stand and believe that a direct operation of the Tribunal against Americans is possible and that NATO officials could be brought to the defendant's bench. Such a treat, the two attorneys said, will cause reluctance of the United States to participate in international missions in which a national interest is not clearly defined. (Hina) it sb