ZAGREB, Oct 5 (Hina) - Giving an interview to the Croatian Television's news programme 'Dnevnik Plus' on Wednesday evening, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic declined to comment in detail on draft amendments to the Constitution, on
which leaders of the ruling six parties harmonised views earlier in the day. I expected that I would see (the concrete draft amendments) and give my remarks," Mesic said announcing that he would endorse the proposals if he assessed them as good. The President voiced hope that he would be able to give his suggestions on the draft constitutional changes after they underwent the first reading in the Sabor. In relation to the control over intelligence services Mesic maintained that the President of the Republic should appoint the head of the intelligence community, as the former did not possess instruments of control of the work of those services
ZAGREB, Oct 5 (Hina) - Giving an interview to the Croatian
Television's news programme 'Dnevnik Plus' on Wednesday evening,
Croatian President Stjepan Mesic declined to comment in detail on
draft amendments to the Constitution, on which leaders of the
ruling six parties harmonised views earlier in the day.
I expected that I would see (the concrete draft amendments) and give
my remarks," Mesic said announcing that he would endorse the
proposals if he assessed them as good. The President voiced hope
that he would be able to give his suggestions on the draft
constitutional changes after they underwent the first reading in
the Sabor.
In relation to the control over intelligence services Mesic
maintained that the President of the Republic should appoint the
head of the intelligence community, as the former did not possess
instruments of control of the work of those services. Supervision
over their work should be done by the national parliament, he
added.
In Mesic's mind, the President should have a constitutional
possibility for playing a role in the creation of foreign policy and
should be commander of the armed forces both in peace- and war-
time.
Commenting on the recent retirement of seven generals after they
forwarded an open letter, viewed as their engagement in the
politics, President Mesic said that by deciding to send them into
retirement he only used his constitutional powers and no previous
consultations had been necessary. In this context he emphasised
that the institution of the President of the Republic was a firm
point in the system which should resolve problems in crisis
situations. Regarding the possibility to take some of the retired
generals back in the service with the armed forces, Mesic said he
felt sorry for any man who made an imprudent move, but the army must
be de-politicised. He reiterated that there was also Defence
Minister's decree of 10 April which stipulates that active officers
and servicemen must receive the consent of the minister before they
make their public addresses.
"We insist on the calming of the situation and the settlement of
problems by assistance of the institutions of the system," Mesic
stressed.
He pointed to the importance of the continuation of Croatia's
cooperation with the Hague-based International Criminal Tribunal
for former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Otherwise, our country would become
completely isolated, like Serbia at the present, he said adding "it
would be pernicious for Croatia and we shall not let it happen."
Asked about his stance on the Croatian Homeland Defence War, Mesic
said that during the war the country defended its borders and
liberated (occupied) areas and all of this made it possible for
Croatia to become an independent, internationally recognised
country, which is now a significant factor in the international
relations.
Speaking of his testimony before the ICTY, President Mesic said his
interviews contained no contentious issues and no secrets, adding
that an ICTY indictee, Bosnian Croat General Tihomir Blaskic, could
also say what Mesic had stated. Mesic explained that being a witness
he told the Tribunal that he was not acquainted with a line of
command at whose helm was Blaskic. (Blaskic is held responsible by
the ICTY for having been commanders of HVO units in central Bosnia
where serious atrocities were committed. Blaskic's defence asserts
that besides his chain of commanding there was a parallel chain
which had the real command over troops that committed war crimes in
the village of Ahmici).
Mesic added that he had spoken before the ICTY about his role as the
last President of the former Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia (SFRY) when he asked for the retreat of the then JNA Army
from military barracks, and about the slaughter of Croatian
civilians and soldiers at Ovcara, after the eastern Croatian town
of Vukovar was overrun by Serb rebels, supported by the JNA.
Responding to TV spectators' questions which mostly refereed to
their economic and social hardship, he reiterated the importance of
creating better conditions for attracting greater foreign
investments. He added that the international community had been
asked to assist in the reconstruction of business premises and
plants in Croatia. The state of Croatia, however, will have to take
over the largest part of the burden in the recovery of the country.
Asked by a spectator why he discontinued the custom that foreign
diplomats and statements visit 'the Altar of Homeland' upon their
arrival in Zagreb, Mesic replied he did not do so but there was still
no law which regulated the issue of Croatia's unique monument to
those who gave their life for the Croatian homeland. "I do not see
any reason to proclaim one fort as the Altar of Homeland," Mesic
added.
(hina) ms