RIVKIN DENIES GRANIC'S CLAIMS ABOUT HIS HIRING

ZAGREB, March 17 (Hina) - US attorney David Rivkin who has until now been representing Croatia before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague, on Friday expressed surprise with statements uttered by Croatia's former foreign minister Mate Granic about Croatia's hiring arrangement with Rivkin. Rivkin represented Croatia before the ICTY in the subpoena case against Croatia, and later worked on the defence side on the Kordic- Cerkez case. He was also hired in relation to Croatia's legal suit against Yugoslavia before the International Court of Justice. There is some unclarity regarding Rivkin's hiring to which the public has directed attention because of the high fees which have not yet been paid. Mate Granic had said only a lobbying contract with Rivkin existed. American attorney David Rivkin told Hina Friday night Granic's claim was completely incorrect. He said he had reported to Granic, as well as other Croatian officials about the work his company was doing, not only with connection to lobbying, but also regarding the ICTY. I can understand he wishes to take on a stance contrary to that of the former authorities, but this is a different issue, Rivkin said. Rivkin described Granic's accusations about his inclination for a conflict between Croatia and the Tribunal as "absurd". (hina) lml jn