OSLO, Nov 8 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan gave an interview to one of the leading Norwegian dailies, Aften Posten, while on an official visit to Norway on Wednesday and Thursday. The majority of the interview was
dedicated to cooperation between the official Zagreb and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague, and to Slobodan Milosevic against whom the ICTY issued an indictment including crimes in Croatia as well. "That was a day of a double happiness", Racan said, adding the ICTY had issued the indictment against Milosevic on the same day when he (Racan) signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. "The agreement has been signed and now we need to fulfil our obligations in order to be a full member (of the EU) by 2006", Racan explained. "The new indictment against Milosevic in The Hague has been issued as well. Justice has been served, even though
OSLO, Nov 8 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan gave an
interview to one of the leading Norwegian dailies, Aften Posten,
while on an official visit to Norway on Wednesday and Thursday.
The majority of the interview was dedicated to cooperation between
the official Zagreb and the International Criminal Tribunal for the
former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague, and to Slobodan Milosevic
against whom the ICTY issued an indictment including crimes in
Croatia as well.
"That was a day of a double happiness", Racan said, adding the ICTY
had issued the indictment against Milosevic on the same day when he
(Racan) signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with
the EU.
"The agreement has been signed and now we need to fulfil our
obligations in order to be a full member (of the EU) by 2006", Racan
explained.
"The new indictment against Milosevic in The Hague has been issued
as well. Justice has been served, even though it took a long time",
he added.
Pointing to Milosevic as one of the chief culprits for crimes
committed on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, Racan said
"Milosevic caused huge damage to his own people as well".
"As we sit here and talk, ten years have passed since the fall of
(the eastern-most Croatian town of ) Vukovar and the killing of
people. It is logical that the Croatian people are happy that
Milosevic is in The Hague", Racan said.
The Aften Posten journalist also inquired about the Croatia-ICTY
cooperation.
"My government is cooperating with The Hague Tribunal. I stand
firmly behind this as this is one of the challenges this government
faces", Racan said.
Asked about Ante Gotovina, a retired Croatian general against whom
the ICTY had issued an indictment and arrest warrant, Racan said the
Croatian government did not agree with the entire indictment.
"The indictment contains some elements we don't agree with either.
In any case, they regard strategically important directives of our
defence war", Racan said.
However, Racan added that "if he is arrested (Gotovina) will be
extradited to The Hague". We hope certain mistakes in question will
be cleared during the court proceedings, he said.
"We recognise The Hague Tribunal, but cannot allow casting a shadow
on our righteous fight for freedom", Racan concluded.
(hina) np