Croat party opposes Hague tribunal

Tudjman's former party is looking to overturn a law introduced during his rule

ZAGREB, Croatia -- Croatia's co-operation with the Hague has come under attack from the nationalist party of former leader Franjo Tudjman.

The present Croatian government, in need of financial aid, gave consent on Saturday for indicted citizens of the former Yugoslav republic to be arrested and extradited to the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague.

Prime Minister Ivica Racan cited a 1996 law, introduced during Tudjman's reign, which requires co-operation with the court.

Racan warned that non-compliance may cause international isolation and possible sanctions.

But it is Tudjman's former party, the Croatian Democratic Union, also known as HDZ, which is looking to reverse the decision.

The protest comes after the tribunal announced on Friday that it has indicted two high ranking military officers for atrocities against Serbs. The unidentified officers are the first Croatian citizens to be charged by the tribunal.

But the protests called for could be overshadowed by the return of Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic to the country.

Croatia's leader described him as "Croatia's greatest sporting ambassador" and tens of thousands are expected to take to the streets in celebration.

In order to support his position, Racan has called for a parliamentary vote of confidence in his cabinet, planned for Sunday. A "no" vote will result in the collapse the government and a call for new parliamentary elections.

Racan's determination to comply with the tribunal has drawn opposition from veterans, opposition parties, and his own party's coalition partner in the government.

Veterans have handed leaflets to politicians urging them to stop the extradition. The leaflets said the tribunal "aims to alter the truth about our war," and that the issue "is crucial for Croatia's future."

The HDZ tried to push the issue to the top of the agenda at Tuesday's parliamentary session.

The party said the law on co-operation should be scrapped and it called for a national referendum on the issue. The HDZ has 41 deputies in the 151-seat chamber.

Tudjman's party never fully accepted the law when it was passed and other opposition parties support HDZ's stance.

Racan, who stands firm in his decision, told The Associated Press that Croatia's handling of the issue would be a key test of its commitment to democracy.

The government says indictments stem from 1993 and 1995 offensives in which Croatian forces regained about a third of the country after it was seized by Serb rebels in the 1991 war.

Racan said on Monday that one of those indicted, Gen. Rahim Ademi, was prepared to surrender while the other, believed to be retired Gen. Ante Gotovina is said to be unwilling.

No Croat from Croatia proper has been indicted by the tribunal, but tribunal prosecutors have been investigating the slayings of hundreds of Serbs following Zagreb's 1995 offensive to recapture lands seized by Serb rebels during the 1991 six-month war. In 1995, at least 150,000 Serbs fled the country and hundreds were killed by Croats.