GOVERNMENT TO REPLY TO ATTORNEY PLEA

ZAGREB, Sept 3 (Hina) - Croatian vice-premier Goran Granic today told General Ante Gotovina's defence attorneys the government would by the end of the week reply to their pleas of acquiring documents the government forwarded to the Hague-based international war crimes tribunal regarding the Gotovina case. Gotovina's defence team told reporters after a meeting at the government building they did not know the whereabouts of their client, but were in contact with him "as much as it is necessary". The tribunal's rules stipulate the defendant must be acquainted with the content of the indictment at the time of his apprehension. Until those authorised by Gotovina do not appear before the tribunal as his attorneys, the only means of their finding out the content of the indictment is via the court's web-pages, available to the entire public. The web site contains the entire text of the indictment. The Hague tribunal has indicted General Gotovina for crimes against humanity and the violation of the rules and customs of war during and after the Croatian military liberation operation "Storm". The indictment was confirmed on June 8 and was immediately sent to the Croatian government. His defence attorneys were authorised to defend him even earlier, on June 2. (hina) lml sb