GUILT CANNOT BE PROCLAIMED OUTSIDE OF COURT -- PRESIDENT MESIC

ZAGREB, June 25 (Hina) - The street cannot dictate what a court must do, Croatian President Stipe Mesic said today, commenting on a peaceful protest staged in support of retired general Mirko Norac and others from the so-called Gospic Group. "One cannot be proclaimed guilty or innocent outside of court, no matter how much some sergeant who received the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel, wishes so," Mesic told the Croatian Radio speaking about the demands of the Central Headquarters for the Defence of the Dignity of the Homeland Defence War that the Gospic Group be defended in freedom. Stressing that the former Yugoslav government after 1945 was criticised for trials in public places, Mesic asserted such trials "are no longer wanted by the Croatian democratic society". Recalling that nobody is guilty until the final verdict says otherwise, Mesic concluded protests are not necessary. The indictment against the Gospic Group alleges that Norac, and the others committed war crimes against local Serbs in the Gospic area (central Croatia) in late 1991. The trial began Monday. Mesic commented on the incident during the opening of the Pula Film Festival, when due to very tight security measures towards visitors he left the Arena. Because of this case, "whoever ordered rigorous control nobody asked for and for which there was no need" should be held responsible. Declining to say whether he is satisfied with the work of the government, Mesic said one omission was that the first 100 days of the government were not used to pass the most difficult measures and decisions. The last show in a series with the President ahead of the summer holidays was concluded by Mesic saying he will spend his vacation on the island of Hvar, as he has no money for Brijuni (a north Adriatic island, traditional holiday destination for presidents and government officials).