MPS OF STRONGEST OPPOSITION PARTY LEAVE LOWER HOUSE SESSION

ZAGREB, Feb 7 (Hina) - Representatives of the strongest opposition party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), left Wednesday's session of parliament's lower house in protest against the possible arrest of retired general Mirko Norac. HDZ's representatives will not participate in the work of the lower house until Prime Minister Ivica Racan briefs the MPs about the circumstances of the possible arrest. HDZ president Ivo Sanader demanded that the lower house session be adjourned, stating it was a dramatic moment because one of the symbols of the Homeland Defence War might be arrested. Deputy parliamentary speaker Mato Arlovic said by adjourning the session, parliament would indirectly interfere with the judicial and executive authorities. He put the HDZ request on vote. The lower house turned the request down with a majority vote. Sanader said HDZ's MPs would not participate in the session. They were joined by MPs of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) and the Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU). Today's extension of an investigation into war crimes committed against Croatian Serbs in the central town of Gospic in late 1991, to include Milan Canic and Norac, was protested also by the Headquarters for the Protection of the Dignity of the Homeland Defence War, whose leaders told a news conference today the two were the leaders of Gospic's defence. The Headquarters also protested against the amnesty of 85 Croatian Serbs two days ago due to a lack of evidence on crimes committed against Croats from Siroka Kula, a village near Gospic, in 1991. (hina) ha sb