Brussels, 29/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 28 September, the European Commission reminded Croatia of the “importance of full cooperation” with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, of which Croatia is a founding signatory party. “The Commission encourages all public figures to refrain from statements that could call into question the importance of reconciliation and the need to serve justice through the impartial prosecution of war crimes”, a Commission press release states.
In early September, Croatia's Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor is said to have praised the former Croatian generals, Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac, against whom there was a first instance verdict in April from the ICTY for war crimes and crimes against humanity against Serbs in 1995. The case is now in appeal. Also, on Saturday 24 September, over 1,500 people, according to the organisers of the march, demonstrated in The Hague against the condemnation of former general Gotovina whom they consider as a hero, and against the ICTY trial brought against former Croatian high officials.
“We appreciate the efforts made by Croatia's leadership towards reconciliation and fostering the spirit of tolerance and trust that Croatia will continue in this vein”, the Commission said. (CG/transl.jl)