ZAGREB, Oct 19 (Hina) - Croatia's new authorities have made great steps towards the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law, and are playing a constructive role in the region, "especially in setting its relations with Bosnia
and Herzegovina on a correct footing and ending sponsorship of hard-line Croat leaders there," read an overview made by the International Crisis Group (ICG). However, Croatia's conduct in fulfilling some international commitments, such as Zagreb's cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal and the return and reintegration of Serb refugees, is problematic, according to the overview the ICG released on 16 October. The issue of cooperation with the Hague-based UN Tribunal (ICTY), the prosecution of Croatian perpetrators and the processes against war crimes suspects in domestic courts "have proved sharply contentious, to the point of being able to undermine (by efforts of right-wing op
ZAGREB, Oct 19 (Hina) - Croatia's new authorities have made great
steps towards the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law,
and are playing a constructive role in the region, "especially in
setting its relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina on a correct
footing and ending sponsorship of hard-line Croat leaders there,"
read an overview made by the International Crisis Group (ICG).
However, Croatia's conduct in fulfilling some international
commitments, such as Zagreb's cooperation with the UN war crimes
tribunal and the return and reintegration of Serb refugees, is
problematic, according to the overview the ICG released on 16
October.
The issue of cooperation with the Hague-based UN Tribunal (ICTY),
the prosecution of Croatian perpetrators and the processes against
war crimes suspects in domestic courts "have proved sharply
contentious, to the point of being able to undermine (by efforts of
right-wing opposition) the stability of the government," it read.
According to the ICG report, "painful economic reforms, which are
being pressed on Croatia by the International Monetary Fund (IMF),
threaten to bring rising social unrest" in the country.
"Thus, the international community finds itself in a dilemma. On
the one hand, it is seen as vitally important to maintain the
current government in power, given that the possibility of a return
to HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) rule, perhaps in coalition with
parties even further to the right, is so unappealing," it read,
adding that on the other hand the international community must
insist on the fulfilment of unpopular obligations.
Despite the efforts of the HDZ party and other right wing groups,
the public's stand towards the prosecution of Croats, who
perpetrated war crimes, has gradually changed, primarily thanks to
reports of NGOs, independent media and Croatian President Stjepan
Mesic's "outspoken support" for cooperation with the ICTY, the
overview read.
The ICG raises objections to Premier Ivica Racan's attempts to
justify Zagreb's cooperation with ICTY as a painful necessity, and
thus he has done nothing to improve the public awareness of the
importance of tackling the war crimes issue. According to the ICG,
he should have shown greater resolve to address war crimes.
It believes that the Racan cabinet "has allowed its agenda to be
dictated by a noisy right-wing minority" although the support to
right-wing parties "had plummeted since the HDZ's heavy electoral
defeat in January 2000."
ICG, however, assesses that "Racan's timidity may even have
contributed to a resurgence in support for right-wing parties..."
As long as ruling parties have enough will to remain together, the
right-wing opposition does not seem popular enough to defeat them.
The loyalty of the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) to the government
will be of key importance, it added.
The ICG holds that the government's policy towards the ICTY should
be clear, and Zagreb should fully cooperate with this UN tribunal.
(hina) sb ms