CROATIA: Croatia said yesterday that two retired generals would surrender to the United Nations war crimes tribunal this week, in the first act of compliance with the court since a new government took office in December.
Justice Minister Vesna Skare-Ozbolt said that Generals Mladen Markac, (48) and Ivan Cermak, (54) would go to The Hague by the end of this week. They were charged with crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war for atrocities in a 1995 government offensive against Serb rebels.
Co-operation with the tribunal is a key condition for Zagreb to start EU entry talks next year. Failure to hand over indictees would almost certainly block Zagreb's path.
Monday's surrender could intensify the spotlight on neighbouring Serbia, whose newly-appointed conservative Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica wants Serb suspects tried at home and considers extradition to The Hague "not a priority".
Both Croatian generals have been questioned by tribunal investigators in the past and pledged to surrender if charged. According to the indictment, published on Monday, Cermak and Markac participated in a "joint criminal enterprise" to forcibly and permanently remove the Serb population and plunder, damage or destroy Serb property.
Cermak, a wealthy oil businessman, ran the former rebel stronghold of Knin after its capture. Markac commanded special police units that combed the area.
Croat President Stjepan Mesic told local media he could testify in Cermak's defence, saying Cermak had been in charge of restoring civilian life in the Knin area and not of military activities.
Fugitive General Ante Gotovina was indicted over the same atrocities in 2001 but remains in hiding. Diplomats believe his unresolved status could continue to weigh on Croatia's EU bid.