Prime Minister Sanader appreciates joint efforts by state leadership in refuting Hague tribunal verdict

ZAGREB, Oct 4 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader appreciates the joint efforts of the state leadership in refuting a shockingly inappropriate verdict handed down by the Hague war crimes tribunal in the Ovcara massacre case.

The indisputable unity of the Croatian public in condemning the Hague tribunal's verdict should also ensure the common position of the state leadership, as clearly evidenced by yesterday's debate in the Croatian Parliament and the support that was extended on that occasion to the government and its activities regarding the verdict.

Prime Minister Sanader personally became strongly involved as soon as the verdict was announced, describing it as scandalous and unacceptable, the statement said, adding that the Prime Minister's visit to the Ovcara memorial complex and a meeting with the leaders of all Homeland War veterans organisations clearly confirmed the strong efforts by the government and the Prime Minister regarding this highly sensitive and important issue.

In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, which has become an official document of the United Nations, in meetings with several European heads of government, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and in a letter to Hague Tribunal President Fausto Pocar, Prime Minister Sanader rejected the tribunal's verdict, presenting clear arguments about its unacceptability.

Noting that it is an issue of exceptional importance to the Croatian public and to the international reception of the historical truth about crimes committed during the Homeland War in Croatia, Prime Minister Sanader announced that he would address the UN General Assembly on this issue on October 15.

Prime Minister fully agrees with President Stjepan Mesic that a debate on all foreign policy issues should held before his address to the UN.



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