WASHINGTON, July 5 (Hina) - The Chicago Federal Court has given Croatia a deadline of August 14 to answer to a suit filed by the law firm 'Pedersen and Haupt' claiming about one half a million dollars for representation fees in the
trial of Ante Furundzija before the Hague war crimes tribunal. A lawyer with the firm, Luka Misetic, who, together with Sheldon Davidson defended Furundzija, told Hina on Wednesday the firm was "ready to talk, because agreement is the only way" to solve the current dispute. Since the firm received no answer to its letters and messages sent to Zagreb, it had to resort to a lawsuit, which was filed with the US Federal Court in Chicago District on May 26. Croatia is the main defendant in the suit, whereas the Mostar-based Centre for Legal Aid is charged as an agent acting on behalf of the Croatian government. The firm 'Pedersen and Haupt' has since 1998 had a contract with the Mostar
WASHINGTON, July 5 (Hina) - The Chicago Federal Court has given
Croatia a deadline of August 14 to answer to a suit filed by the law
firm 'Pedersen and Haupt' claiming about one half a million dollars
for representation fees in the trial of Ante Furundzija before the
Hague war crimes tribunal.
A lawyer with the firm, Luka Misetic, who, together with Sheldon
Davidson defended Furundzija, told Hina on Wednesday the firm was
"ready to talk, because agreement is the only way" to solve the
current dispute.
Since the firm received no answer to its letters and messages sent
to Zagreb, it had to resort to a lawsuit, which was filed with the US
Federal Court in Chicago District on May 26.
Croatia is the main defendant in the suit, whereas the Mostar-based
Centre for Legal Aid is charged as an agent acting on behalf of the
Croatian government.
The firm 'Pedersen and Haupt' has since 1998 had a contract with the
Mostar Centre for Legal Aid on legal assistance in representing
Bosnian Croat Ante Furundzija. Furundzija, a former commander of
the 'Joker' unit, is accused of war crimes in central Bosnia.
Representatives of 'Pedersen and Haupt' claim there were no
problems or disputes until March last year, when they were
contacted by officials from Mostar who told them they had no money
and asked for understanding. After 16 months, the law firm's claims
climbed to about one half a million dollars, of which 300,000
account for representation fees and 200,000 for other costs.
"In February this year, the Centre informed us that all financial
problems should be resolved with Zagreb," Misetic said. In its
letters to 'Pedersen and Haupt', the Centre claims it only acted on
behalf of the Croatian authorities.
According to US legal regulations, if Croatia does not answer to the
suit until August 14, it will be possible for the court to reach a
verdict in absentia. Croatia can be represented only by a US
attorney before the Chicago court.
The Croatian Embassy in Washington today received no notification
from the Chicago court or the law firm 'Pedersen and Haupt'
regarding the lawsuit.
(hina) jn rml