Wanted war criminal not in Croatia, says Mesic

The Croatian president, Stjepan Mesic, has hit out at criticism over the failure to arrest a general wanted on war crimes charges, and demanded evidence that the fugitive is in Croatia.

The Croatian president, Stjepan Mesic, has hit out at criticism over the failure to arrest a general wanted on war crimes charges, and demanded evidence that the fugitive is in Croatia.

Under acute pressure to help apprehend General Ante Gotovina, Mr Mesic said claims the wanted man was in Croatia were not backed by facts. "Without any evidence someone could [just as well] claim he is in my own apartment," said Mr Mesic.

The EU is expected to decide later this month to postpone the start of membership talks with Croatia, unless there is more progress on tracking down the general - who is the third most wanted man at the UN war crimes tribunal.

In Brussels yesterday, Mr Mesic promised a 150-page document detailing efforts to crack down General Gotovina, who is accused of atrocities against Krajina Serbs in 1995 but considered a hero by some Croatian nationalists.

Carla Del Ponte, the UN tribunal's chief prosecutor, is convinced General Gotovina is in the region, and some believe Croatian officials have tipped off the fugitive about plans to arrest him.

Mr Mesic said "There was a time when, in the structure of the Croatian government, people helped the fugitives but these times are behind us", adding: "No one in Croatia knows where Gotovina is."