HADZIHASANOVIC'S TESTIMONY DID NOT ENDANGER US -- NOBILO

ZAGREB, June 9 (Hina) - Attorney for Tihomir Blaskic, former commander of the Central Bosnia Operative zone, said Wednesday the testimony of General Enver Hadzihasanovic before the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), did not jeopardise the defence, nor help the prosecution. "It is important for us that the testimony confirmed Blaskic's claims that the military police and special units were not under his command," attorney Anto Nobilo said. General Enver Hadzihasanovic, commander of the Third Corps of the Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Croat-Moslem conflicts in the Lasva Valley, testified Wednesday as the first witness called by the trial chamber hearing Blaskic's case. Blaskic has been indicted of allowing crimes his troops committed during the Croat-Moslem conflicts in the Lasva Valley in 1993 and for omissions in investigating and punishing the perpetrators. Blaskic's defence is set on claims that he had no effectual control over the units that had committed the crimes. It is also important for the defence that Hadzihasanovic confirmed the authenticity of a letter in which he assessed during the January 1993 conflicts that Blaskic was isolated in Kiseljak and another person should be found to lead negotiations. (hina) lml jn