DEFENCE MINISTRY DISMISSES HHO ACCUSATIONS ON 4TH GUARD BRIGADE

ZAGREB, April 28 (Hina) - The Croatian Defence Ministry on Wednesday "most determinedly dismissed" accusations made by the Croatian Helsinki Committee for human rights (HHO) that some members of the Croatian Army committed brutal killings during the liberation of Croatian regions from the Serb occupation in 1995. The Ministry reacted to an article published in a Split daily "Slobodna Dalmacija" of April 27, under the heading "Individuals Blinded by Hatred". The article ran accusations by Petar Mrkalj, the author of a HHO report on crimes committed during and after the "Storm" liberation operation, pertaining to the army 4th guard brigade. The HHO accused the brigade members of "brutal group killings, mostly of elderly persons of Serb nationality" during and after the military and police operation. We are astounded by such accusations being presented to the public without any evidence, which is in absolute contrast with the proclaimed and ethic principles of an institution such as the HHO, the Ministry statement read. The fourth guard brigade had during liberation operations of the Croatian army were extraordinaryly professional and effective in breaking down the enemy resistance, all the time respecting the principles of international war and humanitarian law, the Ministry said. (hina) lml jn