11 EMINENT CROATIAN ATHLETES AGAINST GENERALS' TRANSFER TO HAGUE

SPLIT, July 12 (Hina) - Eleven prominent Croatian athletes on Thursday forwarded an open letter to the Croatian government and parliament expressing their shock at the news that the Ivica Racan Cabinet decided to comply with the UN war crimes court's request for the hand-over of two Croats named in sealed indictments. "The news that the Croatian government made a decision on the extradition of two Croatian generals to the Tribunal has shocked us," read the open letter. It was signed by internationals: soccer players Aljosa Asanovic, Slaven Bilic, Alen Boksic, Igor Stimac, Davor Suker and Zvonimr Baban, basketball players Franjo Arapovic, Veljko Mrsic, Dino Radja and Stojko Vrankovic, and the latest Wimbledon champion, Goran Ivanisevic. "We are political laymen, but sensible people and sportsmen and we are grieved over this injustice," their letter read. For said athletes it is evident there are attempts to rewrite history - i.e. the fact who is the victim and who the aggressor, which is an essential point. "Croatia was a victim, and its generals and soldiers were heroes. This is the truth," the letter read. They understand why Croatia signed an agreement with the Tribunal, but maintain the Tribunal treats Croatia unfairly. "If you love Croatia and the people who made it possible for You and us to be what we are, do not let the Croatian people lose dignity forever," they wrote. "Protect our, and we hope Your, heroes," the sportsmen pleaded. (hina) sb ms