24/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - Commissioner Olli Rehn has condemned the assassination of the owner of Croatia's weekly “National”, Ivo Pukanic, and of the group's marketing director, Niko Franjic, in Zagreb on 23 October. In a declaration, Mr Rehn calls on the Croatian government to ensure that the authors of this “criminal act” are arrested and judged. The murder, that Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has attributed “either to the mafia or to terrorists” comes at a tricky time in the process of Croatia's membership to the EU. On 5 November, the Commission will publish its next progress report (regular report) on the country which, according to well-informed sources, will conclude that Croatia should be able to complete talks for membership by the end of 2009 on condition that decisive progress is made in reform of the judicial sector and the fight against corruption and organised crime. (H.B./transl.jl)