ZAGREB, Dec 19 (Hina) - Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) President Drazen Budisa has claimed that General Petar Stipetic has been summoned as a suspect to the questioning by Hague Tribunal investigators in Zagreb. "Regarding
controversial information which has appeared in relation with his (Stipetic's) status, I think I should say that, as the matter is too much serious and nobody has the right to delude the Croatian public," the HSLS leader was quoted by Tuesday's issue of the 'Vecernji List' daily as saying. As the media are giving three possibilities - that Gen. Stipetic is summoned as a witness for an interview, that he is an indictee, and that is a suspect - Budica stressed that one should clarify what all of this was about. Asked in which cases Gen. Stipetic (the Croatian army's incumbent chief-of-staff) might be suspected, Budisa told 'Vecernji List', that it was about the
ZAGREB, Dec 19 (Hina) - Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS)
President Drazen Budisa has claimed that General Petar Stipetic has
been summoned as a suspect to the questioning by Hague Tribunal
investigators in Zagreb.
"Regarding controversial information which has appeared in
relation with his (Stipetic's) status, I think I should say that, as
the matter is too much serious and nobody has the right to delude the
Croatian public," the HSLS leader was quoted by Tuesday's issue of
the 'Vecernji List' daily as saying.
As the media are giving three possibilities - that Gen. Stipetic is
summoned as a witness for an interview, that he is an indictee, and
that is a suspect - Budica stressed that one should clarify what all
of this was about.
Asked in which cases Gen. Stipetic (the Croatian army's incumbent
chief-of-staff) might be suspected, Budisa told 'Vecernji List',
that it was about the pocket of Medak and the 1995 liberating
operations "Flash" and "Storm".
Asked whether this meant that the Government's council for
cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the
former Yugoslavia (ICTY) had received such explained request for
making it possible for ICTY investigators to question Gen. Stipetic
and whether Prime Minister Ivica Racan had been notified of it,
Budisa reserved comment and only added that he would say no more.
A few days ago PM Racan said and reiterated the same on Monday that
the ICTY's summons to Gen. Stipetic "needs an additional
explanation on circumstances and objectives of that interview."
When we receive the explanation I am sure, if it is acceptable for
us, there will be no reason for the Government not to cooperate with
the Hague Tribunal and there will be no reason for Gen. Stipetic not
to give and interview, Racan said and announced that for the purpose
of the furtherance of the cooperation between Zagreb and the
Tribunal, his Cabinet would hold talks with relevant factors of the
Tribunal and invite ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte to come in
Zagreb for talks.
President Stjepan Mesic's spokeswoman, Vjera Suman, told the
Vecernji List that the President's Office knew only that the ICTY
had summoned Gen. Stipetic for an interview, which would probably
take place in Zagreb. We have no other information, she added.
(hina) ms