If the Croatian authorities fail to turn in general Gotovina until the beginning of March 17 to the Hague Tribunal, the European Commission will postpone the negotiations for joining the EU – warned Oli Rehn, commissioner to the European Commission for Enlargement.  (2-FEB-05)

 

According to the Copenhagen criteria for joining EU the candidates first of all have to ensure the rule of law and full respect of human rights. Although the attitude of the chairperson of the EU, the Luxembourgian prime minister -Jean-Claude Juncker was benignant towards Gotovina case he confirmed in his short address to journalists the attitude of the European Commission. – General Ante Gotovina must be arrested  and delivered to the Hague Tribunal and I am certain that the Croatian Parliament and Government are firmly committed to the full co-operation with the Tribunal – said Juncker on Tuesday.

 

At the same time, during her official visit to Sarajevo, the Chief Prosecutor of the Hague Tribunal, Carla del Ponte said that the beginning of negotiations with Croatia will not start on March 17 if Croatia fails to deliver general Gotovina to the Hague Tribunal. – I hope that Croatia will be able to deliver Gotovina until March 17. Croatia has a right to negotiate but the condition for the transfer of Gotovina is such that the beginning of negotiations will not be possible – said Del Ponte.

 

After the most recent ultimatums from Bruxelles, the Croatian President, Stjepan Mesiæ and Prime Minister, Ivo Sanader mutually demanded from all respective bodies to speed up the search for general Gotovina. In the mutual statement, president of the Republic and the Prime Minister confirmed full and unquestionable readiness of the Croatian state administration to consistently continue to fulfil the obligations form the Constitutional law on Co-operation with the ICTY.