CRO JUSTICE MINISTER RECEIVES REPS OF HOMELAND WAR VICTIMS

ZAGREB, Sept 2 (Hina) - The Croatian Justice Minister, Zvonimir Separovic, on Thursday told representatives of associations of Homeland War victims that a White Book, which describes the suffering of Croatians and crimes committed by Serbs during the Homeland War, will remind the world who was the victim and who was the aggressor. Separovic believes that the White Book will help to change the image of Croatia at The Hague tribunal. The minister pointed to Croatia's readiness to cooperate with the Tribunal, in line with Croatian laws. Separovic stressed that Croatia would not allow that legitimate military-police operations and Croatian generals who participated in the liberation of occupied territories to be denigrated. "Victims would never forgive us if agree to that", Separovic stressed. Separovic said that Croatia was not denying that some Croatian individuals committed crimes, but added, however, that the Croatian judiciary had processed or is processing such cases. The minister promised representatives of Homeland War victims' associations that he would do everything in his power to bring all perpetrators of crimes against Croatians to justice. According to the representatives of Homeland War victims, many criminals are walking free in Croatia. Separovic said that Croatia was too lenient and generous in applying the Amnesty Law. Representatives of Homeland War victims' associations stressed that about 1,700 persons were still registered missing, adding that incidents may occur, such as the one in the eastern Croatian village of Berak, where Croatian returnees demanded that light be shed on the fate of persons who went missing during the Serb occupation. Separovic did not comment on speculations regarding his replacement, however, he said that such speculations came from those who hate Croatian authorities and the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). (hina) it jn