LOWER HOUSE DEBATES HSP'S INITIATIVE ON COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

ZAGREB, March 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) has suggested the establishment of a parliamentary commission of inquiry to probe into the confiscation of weapons from the Croatian Territorial Defence (TO) in 1990. No one wants to persecute or accuse anyone by investigating the circumstances of the confiscation, but rather shed light on one part of Croatia's history, which was the beginning of the Yugo-Serb aggression on Croatia, said HSP president Anto Djapic at Friday's session of the Croatian National Sabor's Lower House. Opposition benches believe that the issue should be investigated but they do not agree with the methods, describing HSP's initiative as having election motives. They also voiced doubt that the commission would find the real truth. During the discussion, which was interrupted a number of times by smaller debates, Opposition benches assessed that the HSP was abusing an extensive and traumatic subject ahead of the coming elections, which was why its initiative should be rejected. In an introductory speech, Djapic said the commission should answer the question as to who had made and carried out the decision on confiscation, how it had been carried out, what kinds and amounts of weapons had been confiscated, who had received the weapons and how much money Croatia had lost in that way. The consequences of the confiscation are tragic - the Serbian aggression on Croatia and the tragic events in Plitvice, Borovo Selo, Skabrnja and Dubrovnik. Had the confiscation not happened, Croatia would have been in a much better position at the time of Yugoslavia's disintegration, Djapic said, adding nobody should be freed from responsibility for their actions. According to Ivica Racan of the Social-Democratic Party (SDP), pre- election motives of HSP's initiative are obvious. Nevertheless, the SDP will support the establishment of the commission, Racan said, adding he was ready to participate in its work on condition that it be public. The decision of the former Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) to disarm the TO was made on May 14, 1990, and it was a military secret, carried out in the last weeks of May and throughout 1990, Racan said adding it would be interesting to hear information on people who were in the position of authority at that time. Luka Trconic of the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) said that the truth about the events which had preceded the Homeland War should be established, but he does not believe that the commission is the right way to do it. Radimir Cacic of the Croatian People's Party (HNS)/Istrian Democratic Forum (IDF) bench believes that it is more important to answer the question of who is responsible for allowing the JNA to take away all the weapons from the barracks. TO's weapons are irrelevant in comparison to the overall amount of weapons, Cacic said. Jozo Rados of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) believes that the commission will not establish the truth because such commissions, judging from previous experience, look more like 'party trials'. Bozo Kovacevic of the Liberal Party (LS) thinks that the establishment of the commission is a waste of time, because all the answers can be given by competent institutions. HSP's proposal was supported by Ivan Gabelica (Croatian Pure Party of Rights, HCSP). (hina) rml