ZAGREB, Aug 4 (Hina) - Croatia's Justice Minister Zvonimir Separovic on Wednesday requested the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to allow Croatia to reply to the claims presented by the prosecutor in
the closing argument in the trial of general Tihomir Blaskic.
ZAGREB, Aug 4 (Hina) - Croatia's Justice Minister Zvonimir
Separovic on Wednesday requested the International Criminal
Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to allow Croatia to reply
to the claims presented by the prosecutor in the closing argument in
the trial of general Tihomir Blaskic. #L#
In a letter sent to ICTY President Gabrielle Kirk McDonald,
Separovic stated the prosecution's claim that Croatia had
negotiated the partition of Bosnia-Herzegovina with Yugoslavia was
not correct.
Separovic further said the partition of Bosnia-Herzegovina had
never been part of Croatia's policy or its intention, and an
agreement to that effect had never been signed with the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia.
The Justice Minister was reacting to the prosecution's claims on
alleged negotiations between Croatia and Yugoslavia regarding the
partition of Bosnia-Herzegovina and a plan of partition which
resulted in crimes Blaskic is charged with.
Describing the claims as false, Separovic requested the ICTY to
grant Croatia the right, on ad hoc basis, to formally reply to the
prosecution claims and be given a 45-day deadline to submit its
reply.
Croatia further requested that the ICTY also adopt a regulation
which would grant the states the right to submit similar replies to
claims presented by the Prosecution's Office or by defence
attorneys regarding a state policy described as wrong.
(hina) rml.