JUDICIARY AND DIPLOMATS

ZAGREB, June 10 (Hina) - Criminal acts committed by diplomats in host countries create major problems for the judicial systems of these countries, as was the case with a Georgian diplomat who killed a Washington, D.C. girl in 1996, allegedly while speeding and under the influence of alcohol. A similar case concerning U.S. Embassy naval attaché Paul Luis Crespo occurred in Croatia last summer, but Croatian judicial institutions were unable to bring Crespo to court, as he left the country immediately for the United States. Under pressure from the media and members of the family of the 19- year old Croatian victim, Andrea Gavranic, and after the findings of an investigation, Croatian authorities are now renewing a request for determining whether Crespo still enjoys diplomatic immunity. Under U.S. law, Crespo would be precluded from performing diplomatic duties after such an incident and would lose his immunity. But if he continues to have immunity, according to Croatian judicial sources, Croatian authorities will submit an investigative report to the American authorities for further action. (hina) vm 101702 MET jun 97