ZAGREB, Sept 29 (Hina) - I will not comment on the decision of the President of the State. I said I respect the decision, and I stick to that, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said Friday afternoon when asked to comment on the
decision of President Mesic on retiring seven generals, signatories of Thursday's open letter. Without doubt, in such situations one must firmly react and everyone who feels that the move of 12 generals was not good will understand this, Racan said.
ZAGREB, Sept 29 (Hina) - I will not comment on the decision of the
President of the State. I said I respect the decision, and I stick to
that, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said Friday afternoon
when asked to comment on the decision of President Mesic on retiring
seven generals, signatories of Thursday's open letter.
Without doubt, in such situations one must firmly react and
everyone who feels that the move of 12 generals was not good will
understand this, Racan said. #L#
Twelve Croatian Armed Forces generals on Thursday forwarded an open
letter to the public and institutions calling on them to resist the
incorrect presentation of the Homeland Defence War. President
Stipe Mesic on Friday retired seven of the generals, who were active
in the Armed Forces, for violating the regulations of military
service with public political statements.
Racan told reporters at the Croatian parliament that the generals'
act "did not help ease tensions, it helped stir them up".
I am sorry to se things come to this, but now that a group of generals
have meddled in politics, the logical response of the other side is
an energetic one, Racan said.
Racan also commented on a statement by General Damir Krsticevic,
who said Friday he accepted Mesic's decision, accepted and
respected Croatian authorities, and knew, being a soldier, that he
ought not to have signed the letter, but had done so from feeling of
debt he owed to his fellow-soldiers who had been killed during the
Homeland Defence War.
I am reading the statement made by the young general who is aware of
the fact he had made a mistake as a soldier and at the same time
stressed he recognised Croatian authorities ... and this tells me
there are responsible people among the signatories, Racan
stressed.
I hope, he added, that we will all know to respect this in our
further actions.
The Prime Minister was also asked to comment on a statement by the
Croatian Defence Ministry according to which "the President's
decision is drastic and taken without consultation with and
knowledge of the defence minister".
It may seem that the decision is more or less drastic, Racan said,
adding that in this case this was irrelevant.
The only problem here is lack of information and one must not avoid
the fact that such things must be corrected in the future, Racan
said.
Asked how the authorities planned to defuse tensions, Racan said
the Government's diction should be looked at. We strongly defend
our policy, the values of the Homeland Defence War, we do not stir
tensions and conflicts.
He reiterated the Government's readiness for discussion, "yes to a
discussion, but no to rising tensions, the tinkling of weapons,
threats, and the failure to recognise democratically elected
Croatian authorities," Racan stressed.
Racan also reiterated the Government's readiness to continue
defending the Homeland Defence War and its values.
The only way to do this is not to allow filth hide behind the
Homeland war, Racan said.
(hina) lml jn