MINISTER SUSAK TAKES STAND IN LIBEL CASE AGAINST CICAK

ZAGREB, Jan 27 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister, Gojko Susak, today took the stand in civil proceedings against human rights campaigner, Ivan Zvonimir Cicak. The matter of contention is an allegedly libellous interview given by Cicak to the Rijeka-based daily 'Novi List' last May which appeared under the headline "Ministry of Defence - A Crime Den". Susak's testimony emphasised his feeling slandered both "as a minister and private citizen." Most of the cross-examination, conducted by Cicak's pair of counsel with occasional help from himself, centered on the ministry's management of the housing estates it took over from former Yugoslav army. Susak insisted that the Ministry made a point of setting up an ad-hoc investigative commission every time any hint of irregularity cropped up in the press. "If there had been any irregularities in the work of the Housing Commission, then (commission chairman) Branko Primuzak would never have left to take another job," Susak said. Asked about the eligibility criteria for lessees of the ministry's office space, Susak said the ministry always published an invitation to prospective bidders. "But of course, the War Invalids' Association has preferential treatment," Susak said. In the specific case of 'Netel Co.' owned by Nevenka Tudjman, there had been no public invitation, but then, Ms. Tudjman had offered a very competitive price. "At that price we'd let even you lease our office space tomorrow," Susak told Cicak. But the price was not disclosed in court. Asked about unlawful evictions and break-ins perpetrated by uniformed men, Susak said more than 400,000 people had been in the Croatian army, and so it was not so unusual that some of them might break the law. "It is true that some citizens have complained against uniformed men breaking into their homes. Every complaint has received our full attention, which has resulted in 300 disciplinary proceedings against Croatian army soldiers," Susak said. The counsel for the defence proposed to call several witnesses, but the plea was rejected. Judge Zunder ordered the Ministry to submit a report on the management of the housing estates. The court-room was packed with Croatian Helsinki Committee activists, reporters and the curious. The trial is to continue. (hina) jn as sd 271832 MET jan 95