OSIJEK, Sept 21 (Hina) - Staff General Janko Bobetko is a hero and a legend of defence of the Homeland War, not a war criminal, and for everything he had done for Croatia's freedom he will not go to he Hague, the president of the
largest Croatian opposition party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Ivo Sanader, said in Osijek on Saturday.
OSIJEK, Sept 21 (Hina) - Staff General Janko Bobetko is a hero and a
legend of defence of the Homeland War, not a war criminal, and for
everything he had done for Croatia's freedom he will not go to he
Hague, the president of the largest Croatian opposition party, the
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Ivo Sanader, said in Osijek on
Saturday. #L#
Sanader said he had spoken over the telephone with Bobetko today.
Bobetko said he "slept more peacefully last night after he heard
that the government will be urged to proclaim the indictment
unconstitutional," Sanader relayed.
"The general told me that the indictment states that he had
personally killed people in Medak Pocket, although it is well known
that the general was in Zagreb at that time," Sanader stressed.
He announced the HDZ would be asking for a referendum in parliament
on protecting veterans and the Homeland War's dignity, and in
agreement with other parties, request changes to the
Constitutional Law on cooperation with the Hague-based
international war crimes tribunal.
The important thing is to remain united because it is not the party
that matters, it is Croatia's national interests and future,
Sanader said.
Speaking about HDZ's cooperation with other parties in the coming
elections, Sanader said that the cooperation related to parties of
the centre and right-wing centre, from the Croatian Social Liberal
Party, Democratic Centre to the Croatian party of Rights. He only
excluded the possibility of cooperation with the Social Democratic
Party.
According to him, based on their polls, HDZ could expect 30 to 35
percent of votes in the next elections.
(hina) lml