HDZ BIH: BLASKIC'S SENTENCE IS SENTENCE TO BOSNIAN CROATS

MOSTAR, Mar 7 (Hina) - The sentence imposed on general Tihomir Blaskic is a sentence imposed on "the Croat people and its legitimate struggle for survival and equality in Bosnia- Herzegovina," the Presidency of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in Mostar said in a statement on Tuesday. General Blaskic is innocent, said the Presidency after today's session, rejecting "the vilification of the Croat people and the Homeland War in Bosnia-Herzegovina." The Hague Tribunal has failed to prove general Blaskic's individual responsibility and the attempt to incriminate the legitimate defence of the BH Croat people with his sentence is unfounded and unacceptable, the statement read. The statement further read that "the Croat people in Bosnia- Herzegovina had fought in the Homeland War in the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) as a legitimate armed force, which has been verified by decisions of the highest bodies of authority of Bosnia- Herzegovina and peace agreements." The party also rejects the assessment that the conflict between Croats and Bosniaks-Muslims in central Bosnia was an international conflict. "General Blaskic's verdict proves the existence of double standards toward the parties in Bosnia-Herzegovina," said the Presidency, adding the Tribunal should not be "a body of political pressure against the BH Croat people." The HDZ Presidency today also adopted a decision on opening a general debate on the position of Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina. (hina) mm rml