GENERAL GOTOVINA'S LAWSUIT AGAINST GOVERNMENT ADJOURNED AGAIN

ZAGREB, Oct 25 (Hina) - The lawsuit of retired Croatian army general Ante Gotovina filed by his attorneys against the Croatian government for neglecting to turn over to his defence counsel documents it had handed to the Hague-based international war crimes tribunal was once again adjourned at the Zagreb Municipal Court on Thursday for procedural reasons. The government's delegate, Milorad Cuculic, who is a deputy state prosecutor, warned again that the plaintiff had not clearly defined the defendant. He claimed a lawsuit can only be filed against the government, but not the government's Office for cooperation with the Hague tribunal as it is merely an expert and advisory body of the government. Cuculic moved that the lawsuit be withdrawn, claiming it was untrue that the government had refused a request by Gotovina's attorney to see the documents which had been handed over to the tribunal regarding a war crimes indictment against Gotovina. The attorneys were told they would get insight into the documents after they register as Gotovina's defence attorneys in the criminal proceedings. Sides will be informed in written form about when the court will be in session again. (hina) lml sb