ZAGREB, Oct 28 (Hina) - Croatia's Premier Zlatko Matesa o Thursday said a European Union delegation had not handed over to him personally any paper, namely any demarche as it was announced, nor he knew, until late Wednesday afternoon,
that the EU document had been given to a Foreign Ministry official after the meeting.
ZAGREB, Oct 28 (Hina) - Croatia's Premier Zlatko Matesa o Thursday
said a European Union delegation had not handed over to him
personally any paper, namely any demarche as it was announced, nor
he knew, until late Wednesday afternoon, that the EU document had
been given to a Foreign Ministry official after the meeting.#L#
At Thursday's session, Premier and the Government decided to
deliver that EU document "Speaking Note" to reporters as well.
Matesa entrusted competent ministers with the task to prepare a
comprehensive written response which will be forwarded to the EU
representative in Zagreb.
Commenting on point after point in the "Speaking Note", Croatia's
PM said all Croatian citizens have the constitutional right to
vote, and thus citizens of the Serb nationality, regardless of they
are currently living, have the right to cast ballots under
condition that countries (where they may be) allow the organisation
of the voting in Croatian embassies and consulates.
In view of the voting of the Diaspora, Croatia has acted just
according to instructions of the internationals community
accepting to introduce an unfixed quota, said Premier Matesa adding
that an objection that the voting of the Diaspora would be working
against the implementation of the Dayton Accords is
unsubstantiated as the Croatian Diaspora does not live only in
Bosnia-Herzegovina but also in other countries, and the practice of
such voting is known in Portugal and Italy whereas Austria is
preparing for it.
Responding to the "concern" about the representation of minorities
in the National Sabor, Matesa said Croatia, along with Romania and
Slovenia, is the only country in Europe to have such provisions and
the Croatian Constitution guarantees at least five seats in the
Sabor for deputies of minorities.
Croatia accepts the proposal that election commissions include
representatives of the ruling party, the opposition and
independent members, monitors from NGOs and other observers.
Concerning the date (December 22) of the coming election, the
Constitution defines that the President of the Republic decided on
this matter, Matesa said adding that December 22 is a working day in
Europe and that all who arrive in Croatia for the election can
return to their homes on December 23 before holidays.
Informing that he presented the EU delegation with a document on
cooperation between Croatia and the Hague-based war crimes
Tribunal (ICTY), Croatian Premier said he had reiterated to EU
officials that there were now 11 Croats, 14-15 Serbs and two Moslems
(Bosniaks) in The Hague in connection with crimes. Croatia's
Supreme Court confirmed the ruling on the extradition of war crimes
suspect Mladen Naletilic-Tuta to The Hague, he added.
During a discussion on the "Speaking Note" ministers expressed
criticism on the contents of the EU document, and added that "it is
not usual that a high level of a Government receives EU officials at
a lower level."
Justice Minister Zvonimir Separovic notified that today a letter
will be sent to the ICTY enclosing a statement by Dr. Ivo Cikes on
the health condition of Naletilic that yet another very complex
surgery should be done and a statement by Dr. Vladimir Gruden that
Naletilic's "mental condition has been deteriorating."
Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader said the manner how the
"Speaking Note" had been delivered to the Foreign Ministry official
was appropriate for this level of the EU delegation which reflects
how much importance the Union had attached to this matter. "This is,
actually, no official diplomatic note like a demarche," Sanader
explained.
European Integration Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak said those who
are not Croatian citizens cannot cast ballots at the election.
Responding to an announcement that Croatian opposition leaders
will be received by EU senior officials in Brussels on November 11,
she described it as "unusual" during the election campaign.
(hina) jn ms