ZAGREB, June 20 (Hina) - A Croatian parliamentary commission of inquiry on Tuesday again failed to corroborate the foundation of media allegations that Ivic Pasalic two years ago as presidential adviser organised the purchase of
Vecernji List daily for the then ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). Pasalic today for the second time testified before the commission established by parliament to probe the purchase of Croatia's largest circulation daily, again denying that he had held meetings on an undercover sale and purchase of the daily for HDZ. "It was never discussed," said Pasalic, confirming that on several occasions he had talked with Vecernji's leaders, but exclusively in connection with publishing issues. Pasalic was unable to recall whether in the autumn and winter of 1997 he held five meetings with Vecernji director Branko Lovric and his adviser Marijan Kostrencic, today the daily's
ZAGREB, June 20 (Hina) - A Croatian parliamentary commission of
inquiry on Tuesday again failed to corroborate the foundation of
media allegations that Ivic Pasalic two years ago as presidential
adviser organised the purchase of Vecernji List daily for the then
ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).
Pasalic today for the second time testified before the commission
established by parliament to probe the purchase of Croatia's
largest circulation daily, again denying that he had held meetings
on an undercover sale and purchase of the daily for HDZ.
"It was never discussed," said Pasalic, confirming that on several
occasions he had talked with Vecernji's leaders, but exclusively in
connection with publishing issues.
Pasalic was unable to recall whether in the autumn and winter of
1997 he held five meetings with Vecernji director Branko Lovric and
his adviser Marijan Kostrencic, today the daily's supervisory
board chairman.
Kostrencic is the director of Caritas Fund, a company based in the
Virgin Islands which purchased a majority package of Vecernji List
shares from the Croatian Pension Fund over the 1997/1998 New Year's
holidays. Caritas Fund was established shortly before the daily was
purchased.
Some Croatian media have called Pasalic the mastermind behind the
undercover sale of Vecernji List for HDZ, corroborating such claims
with transcripts of conversations found at the Office of the
President of the Republic after this year's transfer of authority.
Pasalic today most probably avoided the possibility of being
criminally charged, which had been a threat after his first hearing
when he refused to disclose which "reliable source" had notified
him the incumbent President's Office was printing forged
transcripts of former Croatian president Franjo Tudjman's
conversations.
Pasalic today told the commission he had been notified by telephone
by a man who did not want to say his name. He added he believed in the
information because in the last ten years he had learned that
anonymous sources could be reliable.
"In recent months, this country has been ruled by fear. People are
afraid to talk and think they are being tailed and wire-tapped, as
if we lived in some former times," said Pasalic.
Former Tudjman associates have called him the chief culprit for
their political elimination, while the media have called him the
political patron of Miroslav Kutle, an infamous tycoon in detention
since February on suspicion that he took part in economic crimes.
The commission today for the first time interrogated Pavo Zubak and
Ivica Nuic, whose companies co-own Vecernji List. Both confirmed
they had met with Pasalic several times, but denied having
discussed the daily.
Former Croatian Pension Fund director Damir Zoric, Lovric and
Kostrencic were called again to testify as witnesses.
Nikola Lisicar testified for the first time. He is chairman of the
board at Montmontaza Gmbh, the company co-owning Vecernji List with
the Auto-Zubak company.
(hina) ha jn