ZAGREB, Sept 19 (Hina) - Premier Ivica Racan on Thursday afternoon promised to MPs in the Sabor that the government would not take any stand or make any decision on the extradition on General Janko Bobetko, or a decision in relation
with the indictment from the UN war crimes tribunal, without the parliament's discussion.
ZAGREB, Sept 19 (Hina) - Premier Ivica Racan on Thursday afternoon
promised to MPs in the Sabor that the government would not take any
stand or make any decision on the extradition on General Janko
Bobetko, or a decision in relation with the indictment from the UN
war crimes tribunal, without the parliament's discussion. #L#
The government does not intend to make decisions without the
Sabor's knowledge, Racan said and appealed on the executive and
legislative authorities to act responsibly.
Urging such behaviour, Racan said it was logical that on Friday the
government could not make any such decision. The government can
hold a working, informal session at which it would become
acquainted with all relevant facts.
Racan reiterated that his cabinet would try to be responsible and
not hasty. He called on MPs to postpone for the next five-six days a
discussion on the ICTY's request in connection to Gen. Bobetko and
on the demand of the Social Liberals (HSLS) to introduce a
moratorium on the Croatian Constitutional Law on cooperation with
the ICTY regarding the segment regulating the extradition of
Croatian citizens.
Racan told MPs that they should defend joint principles, innocent
individuals and also secure Croatia's interest to cooperate with
the world and not to be isolated, as such a situation, he said, would
be of no help to individuals.
The parliamentarians welcomed the premier's pledge, and agreed
that in the coming days they should hold talks and seek the best
solutions and consensus.
During a long discussion, the opposition asked the Premier to give
assurances that the government would make no decision on the ICTY's
request about Gen. Bobetko prior to a parliamentary debate on the
matter.
Vladimir Seks of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) wondered
whether the government could give assurances that it would not
decide tomorrow on the hand-over of Bobetko. Seks added that in his
testament, Bobetko wrote that he would not go to The Hague alive.
The HDZ MP suggested that the extradition should be refused, as in
the contrary, Zagreb would admit that Croatia had been created on
crime.
Vesna Skare Ozbolt of the Democratic Centre (DC) reminded that
prior to the Bobetko indictment, Croatia had received indictments
against another two generals, Ante Gotovina and Rahim Ademi, and
asserted that this was not a trial against the people but against
the defence of Croatia.
The DC representative insisted on a uniform strategy and consensus
on this issue.
Damir Kajin of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) also called
for unity, and said he was convinced that Gen. Bobetko was not
guilty. The IDS MP stressed, however, that authorities should be
cautious as the atmosphere in the country could easily be
inflamed.
Anto Djapic of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) reiterated that a
referendum should be called on cooperation with the ICTY.
Racan announced in the parliament that this evening the government
would receive the Bobetko indictment from the ICTY.
(hina) ms sb