REPORTERS TO COVER SAKIC TRIAL FROM SEPARATE ROOM

ZAGREB, Feb 2 (Hina) - The Zagreb County Court on Tuesday held a working meeting with reporters to discuss the coverage of the trial against Dinko Sakic, accused of war crimes against civilians during World War II. The Court president, Miroslav Sumanovic, confirmed the trial would begin at the end of February or at the beginning of March. The trial will stir interest of the domestic and foreign media, but notwithstanding his lack of experience in organising such important cases, Sumanovic said he wished to maintain "peace and dignity" in the court. Reporters will be allowed to view the trial from a separate hall equipped with monitors, telephones and fax machines. The trial will be simultaneously translated into English, he added. The panel of judges, defence counsel and the defendant must be ensured a normal working environment. "I will not allow any publicity which could disrupt the procedure," Sumanovic stressed. The president of the Croatian Supreme Court will decide on whether the trial will have television, radio and photograph coverage, he added. Dinko Sakic was the commander of the Jasenovac concentration camp in Croatia during world War II. (hina) lml