United Nations – Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Miomir Žužul spoke at the UN Security Council in New York, where he responded to reports presented at the UN body by Theodor Meron and Carla del Ponte on Croatia’s cooperation with the international court. Mr. Meron and Ms. del Ponte affirmed that Croatia is cooperating with the Hague Tribunal and that the case of General Ante Gotovina remains the sole obstacle to full cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the Hague Tribunal.
Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Miomir Žužul Addresses the UN on Croatian Cooperation With ICTY
United Nations – Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Miomir Žužul spoke at the UN Security Council in New York, where he responded to reports presented at the UN body by Theodor Meron and Carla del Ponte on Croatia’s cooperation with the international court. Mr. Meron and Ms. del Ponte affirmed that Croatia is cooperating with the Hague Tribunal and that the case of General Ante Gotovina remains the sole obstacle to full cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the Hague Tribunal.
In his speech before the UN Security Council, Foreign Minister Žužul highlighted that the Republic of Croatia is aware of the importance of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, and that it will continue to cooperate and fulfill its obligations to the best of its ability. Minister Žužul confirmed the clear and steadfast position of the Republic of Croatia that all citizens are obliged to fully cooperate with the Hague Tribunal, which also implies the cooperation of General Gotovina. On the issue of General Gotovina, the Croatian Government is not avoiding responsibility, said Minister Žužul, and it has repeatedly called on General Gotovina to voluntarily surrender himself to the Hague Tribunal, which it continues to do.
Foreign Minister Žužul noted that the Republic of Croatia has so far this year handed over to the Hague Tribunal Generals Cermak and Markac, and has organized the handover of six Bosnian Croats indicted by the Hague Tribunal. In addition, Bosnian Croat Miroslav Bralo has recently surrendered to the Hague Tribunal. Minister Žužul stressed that the Republic of Croatia is a mature democratic country that is committed and is responsible for fulfilling its duties. He said that Croatia will continue to insist that every citizen, with no exception, adheres to laws and regulations (on cooperation with ICTY), regardless of their ethnicity, and that justice be served to all those who are found guilty of committed crimes.
Minister Žužul reminded delegates at the Security Council of the circumstances under which Croatia fought for independence in the early 1990’s, when Croatia fell victim to the aggression of the former Yugoslav People’s Army under the control of Slobodan Miloševic. He stated that the crucial difference between the victim and the aggressor must not be neglected. Croatia did not have a choice, but an obligation to defend its territory and citizens, which it did, said Minister Žužul, adding that this does not mean that those who committed individual crimes should not be held responsible. Such perpetrators need to be brought to justice, said Minister Žužul. Minister Žužul noted that future generations must be enabled to distinguish the victim from the aggressor, that every country has the right to defend itself and that individual crimes may have been committed during the war.
In his speech, Minister Žužul said that the Republic of Croatia is investing efforts in the preparation of the national judiciary for the transfer of cases from the Hague Tribunal, and that he is especially satisfied that Hague Tribunal President Theodor Meron has recognized efforts the Republic of Croatia has undertaken in this regard. Minister Žužul said that the Croatian judiciary has from 1992 until today dealt with around 1,500 war crimes cases, reiterating that the Croatian judiciary sentenced Croatian General Mirko Norac to 12 years in prison. “This confirms that Croatian courts can professionally and impartially perform their duties,” said Minister Žužul.
Minister Žužul said that the Republic of Croatia fully supports the strategy that calls for the completion of the Hague Tribunal’s work, which is laid out in UN Security Council resolutions 1503 and 1534. Minister Žužul concluded toward the end of his speech that the Republic of Croatia is fully aware of the importance of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, and that Croatia will continue to fulfill its obligations to the best of its ability.
Speaking to representatives of the media at the United Nations, Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Žužul expressed confidence that the Republic of Croatia will be given a date for the beginning of accession negotiations with the EU in December, despite the sole outstanding issue of General Ante Gotovina.
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