ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - Croatian government spokesman Ratko Macek would not comment on Wednesday on the Independent Police Union's claim that Assistant Interior Minister Stipe Cacija and his friends were involved in criminal
activities.
ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - Croatian government spokesman Ratko Macek would
not comment on Wednesday on the Independent Police Union's claim that
Assistant Interior Minister Stipe Cacija and his friends were involved
in criminal activities.#L#
"I have to see what this is about, what the basis for such claims is,"
Macek told reporters at the government building.
"Cacija is performing his duties in line with the strictest
professional criteria," Macek said adding that Cacija's experience,
competence and professionalism guaranteed that he would perform his
duties at the Office for Security in an exceptionally professional
manner.
Macek confirmed that Cacija would remain part of Prime Minister Ivo
Sanader's security team and recalled that Cacija, a major by rank, was
sent into retirement as an employee of the Defence Ministry on 31
December 2003.
The Independent Police Union and an association gathering civil
servants and public employees who were deprived of their rights last
week sent the government and other institutions two letters accusing
Cacija, some of his friends and the former Ivica Racan government of
involvement in crime. The former government was accused of having
purged war veteran police officers under the guise of reorganisation
and downsizing of the Interior Ministry.
The Independent Police Union today filed a complaint against former
Interior Minister Sime Lucin for "abusing his office and authority"
and preventing the work of the union.
The complaint was filed with the Split Municipality Prosecutor's
Office on January 9.
(Hina) rml sb