CRO GOVT'S OFFICE FOR COOPERATION WITH ICTY ISSUES STATEMENT

ZAGREB, Aug 29 (Hina) - The Croatian government's office for cooperation with the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague on Friday issued a statement in relation to reports in some media which said the tribunal requested the turning over of Mate Boban shortly before his death, and others saying the tribunal now allegedly requested Boban's exhumation. The statement said that to the knowledge of the government's office for cooperation with The Hague tribunal, the tribunal never pressed charges against Boban, nor did the office ever receive a demand that he be turned over. Likewise, the office did not know about an alleged request for an exhumation, the statement said. (hina) ha jn 291817 MET aug 97